Welsh Conservative MS James Evans has been ditched from the party and lost the Tory whip. The reason? He was caught chatting with Reform UK reps about possibly abandoning the Tories.
Tory Chief Darren Millar Claps Back
Welsh Tory boss Darren Millar didn’t hold back. He said, “I took the decision to remove James Evans from the Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet and withdraw the Conservative whip… after being informed by James that he was continuing to engage with Reform representatives… despite earlier assuring me he had rejected their approach.”
Reform UK Denies Defection Drama
Nigel Farage, head of Reform UK, slammed the talk of Evans defecting. “This is not true. I have not spoken to Mr Evans for a couple of years,” he insisted.
A Reform insider then sneered at the Tories: “The Tories have hit a new level of paranoia. At this rate, they’ll soon be left with just a handful of left-wing elected officials.”
Evans Mulls His Next Move
Evans isn’t rolling over. He said, “I will take some time in the coming weeks to consider my political future… I’ve been concerned for some time about the Conservative Party’s direction nationally. It no longer reflects my values. Politics should be a broad church of views, but it’s a sad day when free speech and criticism aren’t allowed.”
Meanwhile, Reform UK warned on GB News: “We are crystal clear: no more Tories will be accepted after May. They will face electoral wipeout and there will be no salvation.”
Tensions Soar as Tory Troubles Deepen
- Evans is the second senior Tory dumped this week.
- Reform UK already has one MS in Cardiff Bay, Laura-Anne Jones, who defected from the Tories last year.
- Farage has welcomed around two dozen top Tories since his 2024 comeback, including Shadow Cabinet members Robert Jenrick and Andrew Rosindell.
First Minister Eluned Morgan took a swipe: “There’s more infighting in your party than the Beckham family,” and branded Reform UK as full of “failed Tories.”
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth mocked Evans for “flirting with a party he once called unserious with dangerous rhetoric.”
Darren Millar insists he still has full backing from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
Notably, Evans previously slammed Laura-Anne Jones for having “no principles” when she defected and accused Farage of being willing to “say anything to get a vote.”
