A Reform UK Senedd Member has left the party to join Plaid Cymru.

Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, Member of the Senedd for Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg left Reform UK on 15 September to join Plaid Cymru and its Senedd Group.

In a statement, Sarah Cooper-Lesadd MS said, “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.

“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.

“They oppose measures without any coherent explanation. 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.

“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.

“The party centrally has no interest in Wales. Their Senedd group is a staging post in the effort to get Nigel Farage into Downing Street, and that was glaringly obvious at its conference this week.

“To everyone who voted Reform in May: I have not stopped listening to you. You told me you felt ignored and let down. Those concerns are real, and they will be answered by delivery, not division.

“Wales is a small country with enormous potential. Devolution is how that potential is realised, with decisions made closer to the people they affect.

"I believe in a Wales that is confident, compassionate and ambitious. A Wales that uses the powers it has to improve people’s lives and seeks the powers it still needs.

"Plaid is serious about governing, serious about delivery and serious about Wales. It is a party that believes in our communities and believes Wales can do more when decisions are made closer to the people they affect.

“I know what I am asking of Plaid members who spent May campaigning against the party I stood for, and I will work to earn their trust.

“I came into politics to give people a voice, improve lives and get things done, including for every child growing up in care in Wales today. Plaid Cymru is the best place for me to do that, and I am ready to get to work."

Plaid Cymru Senedd Group Chair, Marc Jones MS, added: “The Senedd Group and Plaid Cymru’s National Executive have today taken the decision to allow Sarah Cooper-Lesadd MS to join the party as our 44th Member of the Senedd.

“A decision to allow a member to cross the floor, particularly from Reform UK, is not taken lightly. This follows a period of reflection, discussion and a proper internal process in line with our party’s constitution.

“It has been clear for some time to many of us that Sarah is sincerely motivated by a desire to make a positive difference, particularly for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. It has also become clear that she is uncomfortable with Reform UK’s politics, rhetoric and values.

“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.

“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.

“I and so many Plaid members fought the election in May on a platform and values opposed to Reform. But May also showed that people from many different backgrounds and political starting points can be persuaded by our vision for Wales. Building our movement means reaching out, having conversations and persuading people and allowing people to change their minds.

"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.”