THERE was widespread shock on Tuesday when it was announced the Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, Reform UK’s Member of Senedd for the Bro Morgannwg Penybont constituency, announced that she was joining Plaid Cymru.
It is tempting to say that “no one saw it coming” but it later emerged that Ms Cooper-Lesadd had been in talks with Plaid for several days. A Reform spokesperson was quoted as saying that they planned to sack her anyway – reportedly for pro-Plaid opinions.
Sarah Rees, Plaid Cymru MS said: “I’m pleased to have Sarah join us in our Plaid Cymru team in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg and look forward to working with her.
“Sarah herself has said that she’s on a journey, and like many others she can see how the status quo is not working for people in Wales.”
In a statement, Ms Cooper-Lesadd said: “I wanted to vote for the supplementary budget, which every party should have supported, and I argued against tabling the Nation of Sanctuary debate, and I was criticised for sitting it out. Having just spoken about my own childhood trauma, I could not in good conscience sit through it.”
Photo: Welsh Parliament.
The Conservative Senedd member for the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend, Andrew RT Davies MS, accused Ms Cooper-Lesadd of betraying voters. He said: “I’m bemused to see my Reform opponent at the last election join Plaid Cymru separatists.
“Many people I spoke with on the doorstep told me they would have lent me their vote but were voting Reform as they thought it was the best way to stop Plaid – they will feel betrayed.”
On the same day, Reform’s leader in Wales, Dan Thomas MS, stood down after being arrested under suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. He has been bailed pending further enquiries. Mr Thomas has said that “he has done nothing wrong.”
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