Nigel Farage slams ban on Reform politician for speaking about 'replacement of white Britons'

Nigel Farage has hit out at the decision to ban a Reform member of the Senedd from speaking in the Welsh parliament after he raised concerns over the scale of Britain's demographic change.

In the Senedd yesterday, Joe Martin asked Heledd Fychan, the Welsh Minister for Culture and Sport, whether she could give a statement on the "demographic replacement of white British people taking place in the UK".

The MS for for Caerdydd Penarth continued: "Because the scale of change has been breathtaking. Mass immigration and differing birth rates mean that, in just 37 years' time, in 2063, we will be a minority in our own country.

"That change has already taken place in London, Birmingham, Leicester, Slough, Luton and Manchester, and I don't want it to happen here.

"Indeed, at every opportunity, the majority of the electorate have wanted less immigration so that their nation can be preserved.

"A nation is not an economic zone, it's not a hotel, and neither is it a charity. It's a family, which is capable of absorbing people of all races if done at a sensible rate, but not if it's replaced altogether."

Following his remarks, Ms Fychan asked the deputy presiding officer, Kerry Ferguson, for a ruling on whether the question was in line with Senedd conduct rules.

Presiding Officer Huw Irranca-Davies later branded the Reform MS' comments "discriminatory" and "offensive".

Mr Thomas has now been banned from speaking in the chamber until he apologises for his comments.

Reacting to the ban on social media, Mr Farage fumed: "It is ridiculous and outrageous that Reform’s duly elected Member of the Senedd, Joe Martin, has been banned from speaking in the Welsh Parliament.

"Why is it only Reform that's targeted like this?"

Addressing the complaints surrounding Mr Martin's speech, Ms Irranca-Davies said: "Whilst it is always possible to raise legitimate policy matters in relation to immigration in this Siambr, the focus of the contribution on race and ethnicity was clearly discriminatory, offensive and detracted from the dignity of the Senedd.

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"This is not the first time the member has pushed the boundaries in his contributions, and I have previously warned him about his conduct.

"Until I receive a clear indication that the member understands the boundaries of acceptable parliamentary conduct and apologises to the Siambr, we will not be calling him to speak."

Plaid Cymru's Senedd group chairman Marc Jones applauded the decision, declaring: "Words have consequences."

"It's only right that Reform's Joe Martin apologises for the constant harm and fear he causes among our communities," he added.

Yesterday was not the first time Mr Matin has sparked controversy over remarks made in the Welsh capital.

In June, the Reform MS was accused of using inflammatory and dangerous rhetoric after warning attacks from Sudanese asylum seekers were "inevitable" as he questioned the Welsh Government's Nation of Sanctuary scheme.

The very next day, he was rebuked by the presiding officer and accused of "racism" after suggesting Indian nurses were taking jobs for Welsh people.

His comments led to a mass exodus of Labour, Plaid Cymru and Green members of the Senedd in protest.

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