Gaz Thomas
Gaz Thomas | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2026 | |
| Shadow Minister for Disabilities, Mental Health and Veterans | |
| Assumed office 19 May 2026 | |
| Leader | Dan Thomas |
| Preceded by | New role |
| Member of the Senedd for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg | |
| Assumed office 8 May 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Reform UK |
Gareth "Gaz" Thomas is a Welsh politician who has served as a Member of the Senedd (MS) for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg since May 2026.[1][2]
A member of Reform UK Wales, Thomas unsuccessfully contested Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare in the 2024 general election, coming second to Welsh Labour's Gerald Jones.[3]
Background
Thomas is a full-time wheelchair user, after being discharged from the Army with a spinal cord injury.[4]
Political career
Thomas stood unsuccessfully with Reform in the 2024 United Kingdom general election for the Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare constituency, coming in 2nd place with 8,344 votes.[5]
At the 2026 Senedd election, Thomas was elected to represent the Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg constituency.[1]
Stances
Thomas opposes the direct incorporation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into Welsh law - instead supporting a separate Welsh piece of legislation, due to opposition to global organisations having influence on national politics.[6]
References
- ^ a b Mosalski, Ruth (2026-05-08). "Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg - election results in full". Wales Online. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ^ "Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg - Welsh Parliament constituency". BBC News. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/W07000099?app-referrer=deep-link
- ^ Morgan, Kate (2026-05-03). "'Politics is for everyone' - Disabled candidates on the barriers they face standing for election". BBC News. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
- ^ "Gareth Thomas for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg in the Senedd Cymru elections". whocanivotefor.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
- ^ Pring, John (2026-04-16). "Reform UK stands alone by failing to endorse action on UN convention in Wales, ahead of Senedd elections". Disability News Service. Retrieved 2026-05-10.