Badenoch doesn't rule out Tory-Reform deal in Wales

Kemi Badenoch was in Monmouth meeting those hit by severe flooding caused by Storm Claudia

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has not ruled out a post-election deal with Reform in Wales after the country goes to the polls next May.

Polling ahead of the Welsh Parliament election suggests Reform is likely to finish ahead of the Conservatives in an expanded 96-member Senedd.

But speaking on a visit to Monmouth, Badenoch said any decision on whether the two parties could join forces to form a government would be down to Darren Millar, the Tory leader in Cardiff Bay.

A spokesperson for Reform UK Wales responded to the idea by saying the Senedd election was a "two-horse race between Reform and Plaid Cymru".

The polls have suggested Reform and Plaid Cymru are currently competing to be the largest party.

However, the voting system makes it unlikely that any party will win a majority and so a deal of some kind will be needed.

Asked by BBC Wales about working with Reform, Badenoch ruled out a Westminster deal with Nigel Farage's party at the next general election, but left open the potential for "local level" coalitions between Tories and other parties.

She said: "I have said at national level, we're not doing any deals with other parties, But at local level, when people vote and there is no clear winner, Conservatives will look to see who will help them deliver a Conservative agenda."

Badenoch said the party currently had coalitions with Labour and the Liberal Democrats and was open to other partnerships to progress its goals.

"What does that look like? Lower taxes, getting people into work, making sure we have a growing economy, stronger borders where that is the policy, and controlling crime and the disorder we have in many places," she said.

She added: "Darren Millar is the person who knows exactly what is going to be needed after the election in the Senedd. I trust him completely."

A Reform UK Wales spokesperson said Conservative voters in Wales, "like Labour voters, were tired of being let down by their party and are turning to Reform".

They added: "A vote for the Conservatives risks Plaid Cymru dominance here in Wales, which will lead to even more extreme policies like the Nation of Sanctuary and blanket 20mph speed limits."

Record river levels for the River Monnow triggered severe flood warnings as Storm Claudia hit Monmouth earlier this month

Badenoch met businesses in Monmouth that had been hit by recent flooding which led to widespread damage in the town centre.

Andrea Sholl, whose business Bar 125 was flooded, said some would not be able to recover from the damage caused by the storm.

"I would say it would take between six and 12 months to get back and some won't survive it," the 58-year-old said.

"The golden quarter, which is what we call this time of year, gives us a lot of reserve for January [and] February when it tends to be quieter, but we're just not going to have that."

She said she was still waiting to hear if insurers would agree to pay out for the damage and estimated that staff costs, loss of business and repairs would cost her business "around £250,000", adding "so we're having to use all our own savings".

A clean-up operation is ongoing in Monmouth following the flooding

Rachael Davis, owner of Pause and Paws Monmouth, which only opened in April, said she had "lost the whole shop" with its stock, two freezers, fridge, microwave, and all new kit lost to the flood water.

"We're quite close to the river, there was a flood in 2020 but not in this area so the insurance broker said we couldn't get insurance," the 44-year-old said.

"We've lost everything now and we couldn't get in on the day. Everything is now going to be stripped out but it's going to take six months to get things back."

Gillian Haycock, 52, had to evacuate elderly residents when the floods hit an apartment complex for people over 60 that she and her husband are managing.

She said its flats wouldn't be dried out until Christmas, meaning building work was unable to start until February and affected residents having to either stay with family or in hotels or B&Bs.

The River Monnow burst its banks during Storm Claudia earlier this month, leaving much of Monmouth under water.

Welsh ministers this week made grants of up to £3,000 available for flood-hit businesses in Monmouthshire.

It followed an initial £2.5m support package, including grants of between £500 and £1,000 for affected homes, announced last week.

Additional reporting by Adam Hale