Ex-Reform Politician Likens Party’s Response to Criticism to an Abuser

Key Points

• Allegations of Domestic Abuser Dynamics: Former Reform UK politician Sarah Cooper-Lesadd has likened her former party’s pattern of responding to criticism to “like an abuser in a domestic abuse relationship.”
• Claims of Misogyny and Sexism: Cooper-Lesadd, who defected to Plaid Cymru in September 2026, expressed personal experience with sexist behaviour in the party, detailing two specific incidents involving a prominent party member.
• Undercover Investigation: An upcoming ITV undercover investigation filmed over a 12-month period reportedly captured several Reform UK candidates and supporters making racist and sexist remarks.
• Reform UK’s Rebuttal: Reform UK called Cooper-Lesadd’s claims “outright fabrications,” demanding her immediate resignation from the Senedd and accusing her of inventing “wild stories to smear her former colleagues.”
• Internal Action: Reform UK confirmed that all individuals featured in the ITV broadcast are under internal investigation, with some already suspended or having tendered their resignations.

Britain Post News (BPN) October 17, 2026 – A former Reform UK politician who defected to Plaid Cymru has accused her former party of operating with a culture of sexism and misogyny, comparing its strategy for deflecting criticism to the tactics of a domestic abuser. Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, who was elected to the Senedd in May 2026 before defecting in September, detailed claims of personal mistreatment while rejecting Reform UK’s defence that mainstream criticism stems from a “woke agenda”. Reform UK has fiercely denied the claims, describing them as fabrications by an individual who lied her way into the Welsh Parliament and calling on her to resign her seat. The exchange coincides with an upcoming ITV undercover investigation that filmed party candidates and supporters making racist and sexist comments over a 12-month period.

What are the specific allegations raised by Sarah Cooper-Lesadd against Reform UK?

Cardiff (Evening Washington) October 17, 2026

In an interview broadcast by BBC-produced Newyddion S4C, Member of the Senedd Sarah Cooper-Lesadd alleged that a pervasive culture of sexism and misogyny exists within Reform UK. Cooper-Lesadd, who was elected as the Member of the Senedd for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg under the Reform UK banner in May 2026 before defecting to Plaid Cymru in September, stated that she was personally on the receiving end of unacceptable comments during her tenure with the party.

As reported by Newyddion S4C, Cooper-Lesadd pointed to two distinct incidents involving a prominent member of Reform UK. In the first instance, she alleged that the prominent party member remarked during a political rally that she “looked like a screamer.” In the second instance, Cooper-Lesadd claimed the same individual informed her that she “did not need to be elected as she could be replaced by a 60-year-old man.”

Cooper-Lesadd further stated that the broader atmosphere within the organisation left her feeling unable to raise these issues formally. She remarked that she “did not feel empowered to report” the occurrences because she believed the claims “would not have been taken seriously” by party leadership.

When questioned on whether supporters of Reform UK were justified in attributing external allegations and public scrutiny to a “woke agenda,” Cooper-Lesadd rejected the assertion. As reported by Newyddion S4C, Cooper-Lesadd stated:

“Reform’s playbook is if they can’t defend the indefensible, they turn it on the person actually finding and making the allegations. I think ultimately Reform needs to play within the rules other parties play by.”

She added that such defensive rhetoric was “straight out of the Reform playbook,” likening the habit of blaming the political establishment to “an abuser in a domestic abuse relationship.”

How has Reform UK responded to the claims and the upcoming broadcast?

Reform UK has unequivocally rejected Cooper-Lesadd’s allegations, mounting a counter-attack against her credibility and calling for her departure from elected office.

In an official statement issued by Reform UK, a spokesperson described her remarks as “outright fabrications from an individual who lied her way into Welsh Parliament.” The party spokesperson added:

“If Ms Cooper-Lesadd had an ounce of integrity or respect for her office, she would resign immediately and return the seat to a Reform representative. Instead, she invents wild stories to smear her former colleagues. The fact the media is taking these fantasies seriously without a shred of evidence is frankly astonishing.”

The dispute arrives amid broader scrutiny of the party stemming from an undercover investigation conducted by ITV. Set to be broadcast on Sunday evening, the documentary filmed various party supporters and candidates over a 12-month timeframe, capturing several individuals making racist and sexist remarks.

Addressing the contents of the documentary, Reform UK stated that all individuals featured in the undercover footage are currently subject to formal internal investigations. The party confirmed that several featured individuals have already resigned from their roles, while others have been formally suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry. Cooper-Lesadd noted that she was “not surprised” by the revelations emerging from the ITV investigation, citing her own reported experiences within the party.

What is the background of the political developments surrounding Reform UK in Wales?

The political tension surrounding Sarah Cooper-Lesadd’s defection comes during a period of significant volatility for Reform UK’s parliamentary footprint in Wales. Cooper-Lesadd entered the Senedd in May 2026 following the Welsh parliamentary elections as one of the representatives for Reform UK. However, her tenure within the party lasted only four months before her high-profile defection to Plaid Cymru in September 2026.

Following her departure, senior figures within Reform UK publicly questioned the legitimacy of her move. As reported by political reporter Nicole Wootton-Cane of The Independent, Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice claimed that Cooper-Lesadd had “lied” to the party regarding her core political beliefs prior to her election. Speaking on BBC Radio Wales’ Sunday Supplement, Tice questioned how an elected politician could transition from a unionist stance to supporting Welsh independence and a “Nation of Sanctuary” policy, describing the defection as “absurd.”

For her part, Cooper-Lesadd defended her defection by characterising Reform UK as “completely chaotic” and asserting that the party had no genuine interest in governing Wales, alleging instead that policy and decision-making were strictly controlled by party headquarters in London rather than local Welsh representatives. The dispute between Cooper-Lesadd and her former colleagues has continued inside the Senedd chamber, with Reform UK members calling on her to resign her seat so a new election or candidate could fulfill the mandate given by voters in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg.

What is the prediction for how this development will affect the political audience and electorate?

Impact on Voters and Political Parties

The public confrontation between Sarah Cooper-Lesadd and Reform UK, combined with the imminent broadcast of the ITV undercover investigation, is likely to affect several key groups within the political landscape:

• Reform UK’s Voter Base and Borderline Supporters: For voters attracted to Reform UK as an anti-establishment alternative, allegations of internal misconduct combined with footage of candidates using racist and sexist language could alienate moderate voters. While core supporters may accept the party’s narrative that criticism is driven by media bias or political opponents, undecided electors may view the allegations as evidence of systemic organizational shortcomings.
• The Electorate in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg: Constituents in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg face a situation where the member they elected under a Reform UK banner now represents Plaid Cymru. Reform UK’s sustained calls for Cooper-Lesadd’s resignation could increase local political pressure and fuel demands for recall mechanisms or by-elections when members switch party affiliations mid-term.
• Plaid Cymru and Opposing Parties: Cooper-Lesadd’s allegations provide political leverage to rival parties in the Senedd, particularly Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour, allowing them to frame Reform UK as unsuitable for governance in Wales. However, Plaid Cymru may also face ongoing scrutiny regarding how easily a former Conservative and Reform UK candidate integrated into their party structure.
• Internal Party Vetting Processes: The combined fallout from candidate suspensions and high-profile defections will likely force Reform UK to overhaul its internal vetting procedures. As the party expands its presence across national assemblies, tightening candidate screening will be critical to mitigating further legal, electoral, and reputational risks.