Llanelli Councillor Accuses Reform and Conservatives of ‘Hypocrisy’ Over Refugee Policy

A Llanelli town councillor has accused Reform UK and Conservative politicians of hypocrisy over their criticism of the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary policy, which has supported thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the start of the war with Russia.

Councillor Shaun Greaney, a Labour representative, said comments made by Reform’s Carmarthenshire chair Gareth Beer and former Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies were “misleading” and “morally indefensible.”

The Nation of Sanctuary policy has been a cornerstone of the Welsh Government’s approach to supporting refugees, including people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt told the Senedd in January 2024 that Wales had welcomed more than 7,000 Ukrainians under a “Team Wales” approach, helping them to access housing and integrate into communities.

However, earlier this month Mr Davies said the £55 million policy “must be scrapped,” arguing that funding should be focused on other priorities. Mr Beer also called for the policy to be ended during a BBC Wales interview.

Cllr Greaney said it was “hypocritical” for politicians who had previously welcomed support for Ukrainians to now oppose the policy. “More than £45 million of the Nation of Sanctuary cost supported Ukrainian refugees,” he said. “Ending the policy would risk turning away people fleeing war.”

The Welsh Conservatives have previously expressed support for Ukraine. In 2022, Conservative MS Darren Millar said his party stood “full square behind Ukraine.” But last week, Mr Millar called for the policy to be scrapped, describing it as “wasteful” and urging the government to “put the people of Wales first.”

Mr Beer, who stood as a Reform candidate in Llanelli in the 2024 general election, coming within 1,504 votes of defeating Labour’s Dame Nia Griffith, has argued that the policy is unsustainable and not in the best interests of Welsh taxpayers.

First Minister Eluned Morgan has defended the policy, saying she is “proud” that Wales has “given full support to Ukraine” and offered the “hand of friendship” to those who lost their homes as a result of Russian aggression.

The debate comes amid wider political tensions over immigration and refugee policy across the UK, with both Reform and the Conservatives seeking to differentiate themselves from Welsh Labour ahead of the next Senedd election.