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A former Reform UK politician has compared her previous party’s reaction to criticism to the behavior of an abuser in a domestic abuse situation. Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, who recently joined Plaid Cymru after leaving Reform UK last month, expressed that she was unsurprised by allegations of sexism and misogyny within Reform UK, stating that she had personally encountered such conduct.
Reform UK has strongly rejected Cooper-Lesadd’s accusations, describing them as “outright fabrications” and calling for her resignation. The party is currently dealing with an ongoing ITV undercover investigation, scheduled to air on Sunday evening, which has recorded some of its candidates and supporters making racist and sexist remarks over the past year. Reform UK confirmed that those appearing in the investigation are under scrutiny, with some having resigned and others suspended.
Cooper-Lesadd won a seat as a Member of the Senedd for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg in May representing Reform UK before switching allegiance to Plaid Cymru in September. During an interview with BBC-produced Newyddion S4C, she alleged that while part of Reform UK, she faced a culture steeped in sexism and misogyny, including direct personal incidents. She recounted being told by a prominent party member that she “looked like a screamer” during a political event and was also told she was dispensable, as she could be replaced by “a 60-year-old man.”
She further explained that the pervasive sexist environment discouraged her from reporting these experiences, as she believed such complaints would not be taken seriously within the party. When questioned about Reform supporters’ claims that criticism against them was part of a “woke agenda,” Cooper-Lesadd dismissed this defense as a standard tactic used by the party. She compared it to the way an abuser shifts blame onto their victim, saying, “If they can’t defend the indefensible, they turn it on the person actually finding and making the allegations.” She concluded by urging Reform UK to abide by the same ethical standards expected of other political parties.
Responding to her remarks, Reform UK accused Cooper-Lesadd of dishonesty, stating she had “lied her way into Welsh Parliament” and alleging that if she had any integrity, she would resign and relinquish her seat to a Reform representative. The party also criticized the media for reportedly giving credence to her claims without evidence
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