Breaking Ties: Oliver Lewis Steps Back from Reform UK Leadership Role

In a surprising turn of events, Oliver Lewis, who previously represented Reform UK in Wales during the last general election, has officially announced that he is not a candidate for the upcoming Senedd election in 2026. This development follows an apparent rift with party chair Zia Yusuf over controversial comments Lewis made regarding immigration in Wales.

In January, during an interview with BBC’s Politics Wales, Lewis remarked that immigration to Wales had been ”very limited” and suggested it had been ”arguably very positive for the economy”. This statement did not sit well with Yusuf, who publicly contested Lewis’ view on social media, explicitly stating it did not represent the party’s stance.

Following this incident, Reform UK issued a statement clarifying that Lewis was no longer a spokesperson and would not be involved in candidacy for 2026. Indeed, Lewis himself confirmed he has stepped down from his role due to work commitments abroad, although he still holds membership and a deputy chair position within his local branch of the party.

When pressed about the rift and his prior title as spokesperson, other party officials, like Llyr Powell, seemed to downplay Lewis’ previous position, suggesting that such a role may not have formally existed and denied that he was demoted due to his comments.

As 2026 approaches, the political landscape in Wales is heating up, with Reform polling competitively against the Labour Party and Plaid Cymru, thus making it one of the most unpredictable elections in the institution’s history. Notably, concerns are rising within Plaid Cymru, which has warned that Reform UK could potentially win the election, given their strong position in polling.

Lewis had previously engaged in rigorous debates and media campaigns as the representative for Reform UK, finishing a close second in his constituency against Labour’s Steve Witherden last summer. However, with Lewis backing away from the spotlight, the future of Reform UK’s positioning in Welsh politics remains uncertain as the party prepares for the 2026 elections.