Reform UK has been given a major boost today after a shock new poll revealed it is now the second most popular party in Wales.
Survation found that one in five Welsh voters now support Nigel Farage’s insurgent party, up four points since the general election.
Conversely, Labour is down four points since the election, dropping from 37% to 33%.
The Tories remain stationary on 18%, with Plaid Cymru down two points to 13% and the LibDems up 2 points to 9%.
The poll was conducted between October 18 and November 4.
While the survey was asking about Wesminter voting intention, it will give a huge moral boost for Reform UK ahead of the 2026 Welsh assembly elections where the party is hoping for success.
Speaking at the party’s Welsh conference earlier this month, Nigel Farage said that the 2026 Senedd election will be his party’s biggest priority that year.
He told the audience: “This campaign, the one leading up to 2026 will be in that calendar year, for me as national party leader, by far our biggest priority.”
Mr Farage has ruled out making an election pact with the Welsh Conservatives, saying his party is the “main challenge to Labour”.
He called on his swelling party membership to put themselves forward as candidates for the local elections as part of his “people’s army”.
He said: “I need all of you in whatever way you can to get involved with this people’s army, to join us, to join the local branches, to put yourself forward for treasurer or whatever it may be.”
“[Welsh voters] need somebody to provide opposition to a completely failing devolved Labour administration”.
Today’s Westminster voting intention poll would still only give Reform UK one seat in parliament.
However they are reportedly hoping for at least 16 members of the Welsh Assembly in the 2026 election.
Unlike Westminster elections, the Welsh parliament uses a proportional voting system, meaning it’s easier for smaller parties to win representation.
In 2016, UKIP won seven seats in the Senedd with around 13% of the vote.
