A REFORM UK Senedd member has defected to Plaid Cymru, saying Nigel Farage's party has "no interest in the work I came here to do".
Sarah Cooper-Lesadd has said Reform UK are "not serious about governing Wales" and are "far more interested in division" as she confirmed she would be joining the governing party in the Welsh Parliament.
It comes after Welsh Reform UK leader Dan Thomas announced he would be quitting his post after being arrested on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour at the weekend.
He said he had been "released without charge" but did not want to "be a distraction" going forward.
Cooper-Lesadd, the MS for Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg, said in a statement: “Today I have left Reform UK and joined Plaid Cymru and its Senedd group.
“I grew up in the care system. I stood for the Senedd to be a voice for care-experienced people, who are still badly under-represented in our politics. I want to improve people’s lives, stand up for people who are overlooked and get things done. My approach is evidence-led and rooted in what works for our communities.
A statement from Sarah Cooper-Lesadd MS and Marc Jones MS, Chair of Plaid Cymru Senedd Group pic.twitter.com/kJBPDCFBAZ
— Plaid Cymru 🏴 (@Plaid_Cymru) September 15, 2026
“Reform has no interest in the work I came here to do. They are not serious about governing Wales. They are far more interested in division, opposition and headlines than in finding solutions. There is a real appetite in the group to want the government to fail, and no interest in what that failure would mean for the people we represent."
She went on: "“I cannot support Reform's attacks on people seeking sanctuary or other vulnerable groups. I particularly reject the way minorities have too often been used as political targets. I do not believe anyone should be scapegoated or dehumanised to win votes, and I will not be part of a politics that does that."
Plaid Cymru said welcoming Cooper-Lesadd was not a decision they took lightly.
But Senedd group chair Marc Jones added she had made clear she is "sincerely motivated by a desire to make a positive difference".
“She has been honest about her political journey and has acknowledged that she was wrong to believe Reform was the right political home for her," said Jones.
“Sarah has returned to a Wales that is very different from the country she left as a child. She sees a growing confidence and ambition in Wales and in our Senedd, and wants to be part of that.
“She has concluded that she cannot in good conscience continue trying to make a difference from within Reform. She has thought carefully about where her values place her now and sees in Plaid Cymru a party that believes in Wales, believes in its people and is serious about making positive change.
""We are therefore pleased to welcome Sarah to Plaid Cymru and look forward to the contribution she can make to our party, our Senedd group and, most importantly, to the people of Wales.”
Thomas was appointed Welsh party leader by Farage in February but announced on Tuesday he would be stepping down.
Gwent Police said a 45-year-old man from Aberbargoed, in Caerphilly was bailed pending further enquiries.
In a statement issued by his party, Thomas said he was "standing down" from his position due to personal reasons adding he had been "released without charge" following his arrest on Sunday.
Thomas said: "I stress that I have done nothing wrong, but I do not want the coming headlines to be a distraction from the fantastic work our Senedd team is doing in holding this government to account."
"It has been the honour of my life to have been the leader of Reform Wales and see this party go from zero to 34 elected members and become the largest opposition group in Welsh history," he went on.
"With deep regret, I am now standing down from this position due to personal reasons.
"Over the weekend, I was reported to the police and was released without charge."
