Helen Jenner (Image: Reform UK)
Last Updated: 2 hours ago
Helen Jenner has been appointed deputy leader of Reform Wales as the party prepares for the Senedd election on May 7.
Ms Jenner, a Welsh speaker born in Neath and raised on Ynys Môn, is a teacher and mother of two. She currently tops Reform’s regional list in the Bangor, Conwy and Ynys Môn constituency.
Announcing the appointment, leader Dan Thomas said the party needed to “draw on the skills and attributes of all of our members to get results”.
Mr Thomas said: “That’s why I’m excited to announce that Helen Jenner will join me in leading Reform into the Senedd election in May.”
The move comes during a turbulent period for the party, which has seen a string of candidate departures in the Bridgend and Vale of Glamorgan constituency. Three of the party’s six candidates there have quit in recent days.
Corey Edwards, the lead candidate in the constituency, stood down last week after a photograph emerged appearing to show him performing a Nazi salute. Derek Roberts, second on the regional list, has also stepped aside for what a Reform source described as “personal reasons” – reported on Tuesday. Owain Clatworthy, the party’s sixth candidate, resigned separately, raising concerns about the selection process.
In total, four Reform candidates across Wales have departed within the space of a week. A further two had already withdrawn before the party’s full lists were published.
Despite the disruption, Reform has said it intends to field a complete slate of candidates for the election, with nominations closing on April 9.
Ms Jenner said: “Wales is at a crossroads, and Reform is the only party offering ambitious, credible solutions to the problems the people of Wales face.
“As a proud Welsh woman, I believe the only party prepared to put our country first is Reform.
“I’m honoured to join Dan and our hard working members in this fight for a fairer, more prosperous Wales.
“Vote Reform on May 7 for the real change Wales deserves.”
