Nigel Farage introduced Helen Jenner as the new leader of Reform in Wales on Monday. The announcement follows the departure of Dan Thomas, who stepped down last week following his arrest on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. Thomas denies any wrongdoing and was released on bail while police inquiries continue.

Farage made the announcement on the steps of the Senedd building in Cardiff. He expressed regret over the personal troubles faced by the former leader, noting that maintaining leadership under those circumstances was impossible. Farage praised Jenner as a long-standing and dedicated activist whom he holds in high confidence.

Jenner secured the position following a leadership ballot involving the party's 33 Senedd members on Monday morning. She defeated colleague Jason O'Connell, who entered the contest unexpectedly. Because Jenner previously served as deputy leader and represents Bangor Conwy Môn in the Senedd, she had acted as interim leader and was widely considered the frontrunner.

The newly appointed leader is a fluent Welsh speaker, a married mother of two from Anglesey, and spent 15 years working as an educator before entering politics. Her political alignment with Farage spans several decades, having participated in all of his previous political movements, including UKIP and a run for the Brexit Party during the 2019 Senedd election. A separate vote to select a new Welsh deputy leader is scheduled for Tuesday.

Despite the abrupt leadership transition, Thomas retains his status as a Reform member of the Senedd, as the party's chief whip opted against stripping him of the party whip. Farage indicated that the organization intends to proceed steadily while awaiting the resolution of the legal process regarding Thomas's status.

Speaking after the announcement, Jenner addressed internal party matters and outlined plans for change. She intends to grant ordinary members greater influence over policy decisions. While acknowledging a turbulent period for the party, she dismissed suggestions of internal division, emphasizing that members share a unified vision for their political goals.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.