Reform has sent out mass letters asking for support in next May’s Senedd election
The letter from Reform UK has been sent to people across Wales(Image: Ruth Mosalski)
People across Wales are finding creative ways to reply to letters sent out by Reform UK – including returning ripped up letters and defaced letters and even replying with an envelope full of nails.
Reform UK has been criticised for sending letters across Wales, but only in the English language. The letters, one of their political opponents say, show they “don’t care” about Wales.
The letter, was a campaign plea asking people to back Reform UK in the Welsh parliamentary election in May. The letter was signed by Nigel Farage.
People have been sharing images online of them defacing the letters, and returning them in the supplied Freepost envelope. There is no legal requirement, the Electoral Commission has confirmed, for any election leaflet to be printed bilingually.
KanePlaysGames wrote on X: “You know Reform really cares about Wales when they don’t even send their letter in Welsh Wales doesn’t need Reform. Wales doesn’t need a puppet of Russia. Wales needs a party that cares about Wales. Not Westminster. Vote for Wales. Never Reform.”
Other examples include people writing on them saying “You can’t even be bothered to publish this letter bilingually”. Others wrote “ble mae’r Gymraeg?”
A Reform UK Wales spokesperson said: “Reform UK speaks the language of common sense. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
“Unlike the vast majority of politicians, people in Reform don’t mince words about the scale of the problems that face our country.
“Whether we’re speaking in Welsh or speaking in English, we’re always speaking up for left behind communities in Wales.”
A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: “What a surprise. Reform sends out a mass leaflet in Wales…and there’s no Welsh version.
“As if we needed anymore proof that Reform doesn’t care about Wales, our culture, or our language – here it is. To them, next year’s Senedd election is just a stepping stone to power in Westminster.
“The people of Wales deserve a government that puts communities first, not divides them, and one that will protect their NHS – not privatise it.”
Former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood has used her Facebook page to advise people what to do if they want to return the letter.
“I’m seeing that some people are using free post to return electoral marketing mail back to the party who sent it, in some cases, with some choice words.
“It’s better to use the free post envelope to send a letter outlining your thoughts, on plain paper, without your name and address. That way you will be adding to the costs of the company without giving them data that they can add to their database.”