The Reform party announced on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, that its members would boycott plenary sessions in the Welsh Parliament. The move follows a decision by the presiding officer to ban Reform Member of the Senedd (MS) Joe Martin from speaking in the chamber. Helen Jenner, the party’s leader in Wales, described the boycott as a show of support for Mr. Martin and characterized the ban as an infringement on freedom of speech.
The disagreement began on Tuesday, November 10, when Mr. Martin, the MS for Caerdydd Penarth, made remarks regarding the demographic composition of the United Kingdom. During a session in the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, Mr. Martin asked for a government statement on what he termed the "demographic replacement of white British people." He cited differing birth rates and immigration levels, stating that he did not want the majority population to change in Wales as he claimed it had in several English cities.
Huw Irranca-Davies, the Llywydd or presiding officer, responded by barring Mr. Martin from speaking until he apologizes and demonstrates an understanding of parliamentary conduct. Mr. Irranca-Davies described the comments as "unnecessarily provocative and deliberately offensive," stating that while immigration policy is a legitimate topic, the focus on race and ethnicity was "clearly discriminatory." He noted that he had previously warned Mr. Martin about his conduct in the chamber.
Member of the Senedd Heledd Fychan requested the ruling on Mr. Martin's comments, stating that the Senedd has a duty to represent all community members regardless of religion, sexuality, or skin color. Ms. Fychan said she rejected "division and hate" and argued that the government must serve everyone in Wales. In response, Ms. Jenner stated that Reform members would continue to attend the Senedd to vote but would not participate in the Wednesday plenary meetings, arguing that silencing one member effectively silences their constituents.
This dispute affects the 60 Members of the Senedd and the constituents represented by the Reform party, which is currently the largest opposition group to the Plaid Cymru-led government. While the exact number of voters impacted was not reported, the boycott removes the formal speaking voice of an opposition bloc during full parliamentary meetings. For residents in districts like Caerdydd Penarth, this means their elected representative cannot participate in floor debates or question ministers until a resolution is reached between the party and the presiding officer.
The scale of the conflict centers on the rules governing parliamentary speech versus the rights of elected officials to express the views of their platform. Mr. Martin argued that by 2063, white British people would become a minority, a claim he used to advocate for lower immigration. The presiding officer's decision sets a precedent for how the Senedd defines "discriminatory" and "offensive" language in a legislative setting. A person following Welsh politics will notice the absence of Reform members from debates, though their ability to vote remains unchanged for now.
What happens next depends on whether Mr. Martin issues the apology requested by the Llywydd. As of Wednesday, November 11, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has supported the MS, questioning why the party was being targeted. The boycott remained in effect for the Wednesday session, and no specific date has been set for Mr. Martin's return to the speaking roster. The Senedd will continue its scheduled business, though without the verbal participation of the opposition group during plenary sessions.