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Reform UK members boycott Senedd proceedings over speaking ban

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom · Nov 11, 2026

Is it still on?

NOIt was a one-day action on Nov 11.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
Reform UK members protested a speaking ban imposed on a party member who claimed white British people are being replaced in the UK.
What they want
The party demanded the lifting of the speaking ban, citing concerns over freedom of speech and the representation of their constituents.
What changed
Nov 11: Reform UK members boycotted the plenary session but returned to the Senedd in the evening to participate in voting.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Lift the speaking ban on Joe Martin
  • Protect freedom of speech in the Senedd

Organised by: Reform UK

What authorities say

Presiding Officer Huw Irranca-Davies stated that the remarks were 'unnecessarily provocative and deliberately offensive' and required an apology before the member could speak again.12

The full story

On November 11, 2026, members of Reform UK in Wales staged a boycott of the Senedd's plenary session in Cardiff. The action was organised by the party's Welsh leader, Helen Jenner, and chief whip, Llŷr Powell, to protest a speaking ban imposed on party member Joe Martin. The ban followed remarks made by Martin regarding the demographic replacement of white British people, which the Senedd's Presiding Officer, Huw Irranca-Davies, deemed offensive and discriminatory. Reform UK leaders described the sanction as an infringement on freedom of speech and argued that it silenced the constituents they represent. While the party members withdrew from the day's plenary proceedings, they returned to the chamber in the evening to cast their votes. The protest was supported by party leader Nigel Farage, who criticised the ruling.

Timeline

  1. Reform UK members returned to the Senedd in the evening to participate in voting.1

  2. Reform UK members announced and carried out a boycott of the plenary session in protest of the ban.12

  3. The Senedd Presiding Officer imposed a speaking ban on Joe Martin following his comments in the chamber.12

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