A former Conservative Member of Parliament has resigned from the party, denouncing it as “impotent,” and intends to run in the upcoming Senedd election next May.
Sarah Atherton, who lost her Wrexham seat in the general election last July, stated that the Conservatives “no longer align with her values or ideology.”
While she has not yet confirmed which party she will represent, Atherton expressed her belief that she has “a lot still left to give” and hopes to continue her political career in Cardiff Bay, leveraging her background in social work.
A spokesperson for the Conservative Party stated that they would not be commenting on the matter.
Atherton served as the MP for Wrexham from 2019 until her electoral defeat in 2024. She briefly held the position of parliamentary under-secretary of state for defence people, veterans and service families in 2022.
Notably, she was the first Conservative politician to represent the Wrexham constituency since its establishment in 1918.
Last year, Atherton suggested that the Conservatives should “embrace” Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Her comments at the time drew criticism from Andrew RT Davies, then the Welsh Conservative leader, who asserted that the party’s future “will not be found through the empty lens of Nigel Farage’s pint glass.”
In response to inquiries from Newyddion S4C, Atherton clarified that she had not joined Reform UK.
The former Wrexham MP explained that she cannot stand for the Conservatives due to the party’s “configured selection process,” which prioritizes sitting Members of the Senedd.
Under Wales’ new electoral map, 16 seats will each elect six members, chosen from party lists.
Last month, former Conservative MS Laura Anne Jones defected to Reform UK, becoming its first member in the Senedd, following in the footsteps of former Welsh Secretary David Jones.
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