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Reform would prioritise Welsh people for social housing, party says

David DeansWales political reporter
News imageGetty Images Nigel Farage, wearing a grey suit jacket with a red tie and checked shirtGetty Images
Reform UK will launch its manifesto on Thursday at an event in Newport

Reform UK says it would prioritise Welsh people for social housing if it wins the Senedd election in May.

The party will launch its manifesto on Thursday at an event in Newport, promising to scrap the 20mph speed limit and build an M4 relief road.

It said a Reform Welsh government would prioritise social housing "based on long-term residence".

Reform's Welsh leader Dan Thomas said the "manifesto is a blueprint for real change".

Reform is the second party to publish a manifesto - a document which spells out the promises a party makes to voters.

Led by Nigel Farage, polling suggests Reform is vying with Plaid Cymru for first place in the 7 May vote for Wales' parliament.

Thomas, a former London council leader who was appointed by Farage in February, said ahead of the manifesto launch: "Armed with this blueprint, we have all the building blocks to end a generation of decline here in Wales."

Farage, who will be in Newport for the event on Thursday, said: "In a Senedd election campaign that has been characterised by fantasy economics from the other parties, this document is a serious plan to deliver the real change Wales deserves."

Reform briefed some details of the manifesto overnight - including that it would prioritise "Welsh people for social housing".

Asked what that meant, and who would be considered Welsh, a Reform spokesman said it would be "based on long-term residence".

The party is also promising to "implement key road upgrades" including an M4 relief road in south Wales and the A55 in north Wales - similar to pledges made by the Conservatives.

Reform said it would "scrap" default 20mph limits. The Tories also said they would reverse the limit and "adopt a targeted approach".

The party is also promising to scrap international aid and instead "spend taxpayers cash in Wales".

International aid is usually the responsibility of the UK government, although £1m was earmarked for "international sustainable development" in the Welsh government budget for 2026/27.

News imagePA Media A woman with blonde hair in an orange jacket, Laura Ann Jones, a bald man in a navy suit, Dan Thomas, and a man with grey hair and a light blue suit, Nigel Farage, stand on stage at an event.PA Media
Reform's Welsh leader Dan Thomas, seen between Senedd member Laura Anne Jones and UK leader Farage, was appointed to the role in February

Other pledges include:

  • Holding referendums if councils raise council tax by 5% or above, similar to a Tory policy launched earlier this week
  • Making sure the Welsh health service "will always remain free", pledging to "slash waiting lists, end corridor care and future-proof the NHS by upgrading hospitals and digital infrastructure"
  • Reforming the sustainable farming scheme - the controversial replacement for EU farming funding - to "let farmers farm" and work with them to deliver a 10-year-food strategy

Reform will launch the manifesto in the International Convention Centre on the outskirts of Newport.

It has invited party members, who will be paying £5 each, to the event, as well as the press.

Two Conservative Members of the Senedd (MSs) have joined Reform in the last year - Laura Anne Jones and James Evans, while former Welsh secretary David Jones has also joined them.

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In March, BBC Wales is holding a live debate in Wrexham with a panel of politicians ahead of the Senedd election. Click here to apply to be in the audience.