Welsh Tory Senedd Member Ousted Over Reform UK Defection Discussions

A prominent Welsh Tory is being kicked out of his party for telling his party leader he was thinking about defecting to Reform UK. James Evans has been removed from the shadow cabinet and had the whip withdrawn making him an independent, Tory Senedd leader Darren Millar has said. Millar said he did so on Tuesday morning "after being informed by James that he was continuing to engage with Reform representatives about the possibility of defecting to the party in spite of his personal assurances on Friday that he had rejected an approach they initiated last week". In a statement, Evans confirmed he was being ousted from the party which he said no longer represents his values. BBC Wales understands the process is underway to remove Evans' party membership. Speculation has been heightened that Evans could defect following a BBC interview on Sunday, where he criticised UK party leader Kemi Badenoch and declined to say if he had spoken to Reform. He also edited a Facebook post on Monday to remove a reference to his party. "I will take some time in the coming weeks to consider my political future," said Evans, who represents Brecon and Radnorshire in the Senedd. He added: "I have been concerned for some time over the direction of the Conservative party at a UK level and I feel it no longer represents my conservative values and beliefs. "Politics should be a broad church of views and opinions, and it is a sad day when the party does not allow free speech or criticism." In a statement, Millar said he took the decision to strip Evans of his job as shadow health secretary on Tuesday morning. "I expect all Welsh Conservative MSs and candidates to be 100% committed to our party and our plan to fix Wales. Regrettably, James was unable to give me that commitment," he said. Reform's only current MS in the Senedd is former Conservative Laura Anne Jones, who joined last summer.