Reform UK Candidate James Evans Brands Arron Banks' Social Media Post 'Racist'

James Evans, a Reform UK election candidate in Wales, has publicly described a social media post by Arron Banks, a significant figure associated with the party, as racist. This marks the first instance of a Reform UK representative directly applying the term to Banks' statement.

Banks, an outspoken supporter of Reform UK, posted 'Welsh lad?' on X in response to a Plaid Cymru video. The video featured a Black community organiser speaking from Cardiff. Banks has previously dismissed his comment as a 'joke', stating Plaid Cymru had 'lost their sense of humour'.

When questioned about the post, Evans told Politics Wales: 'Of course it's racist. He shouldn't be saying these things.'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage had earlier characterised Banks' post as being in 'poor taste', suggesting Banks should offer an apology. However, Dan Thomas, the Welsh leader of Reform, avoided directly addressing whether he distanced himself from Banks' post this week, though he asserted his party was not racist. Thomas claimed his own Welsh identity had been questioned by Plaid Cymru supporters, calling him a 'plastic Taffy'.

Plaid Cymru stated that 'racism has no place in Wales or society' and reiterated that Banks' comment was racist, criticising Farage and Thomas for their reluctance to acknowledge it. A Welsh Labour spokesperson condemned the 'abhorrent racism' and warned against the 'community division that Reform brings'. The Welsh Conservatives welcomed Evans' acknowledgement, affirming that 'Racism and hate have no place in our society'.