Speaking ahead of Friday’s event, Farage targeted Labour ministers, rather than the institution of the Senedd, for what he said were the failings in key public services.

“When it comes to devolution, it isn’t devolution that’s failing in Wales it’s the Labour government in Wales that has failed,” he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

“Any objective look at the NHS and education says that Wales has not been run well and what we intend to become is the main opposition voice to Labour in Wales.

“The Conservatives there seem to have lost their relevance.”

In an statement, released overnight, Farage described Reform as “now the main challenger to Labour in Wales”, adding: “Our conference in Newport today marks the beginning of our efforts to present a fresh choice to voters who have been badly let down.

“Wales needs Reform.”

Between now and May 2026, Reform is expected to take the fight to Labour, suggesting that people in Wales have paid the price for “failure after failure” by successive Labour governments.

Reform will argue that Labour, Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives offer “the same old stagnant promises and policies”.

Reform are yet to publish a list of policies specific to Wales for the looming election.

Party insiders are targeting a return of at least 16 Members of the Senedd (MSs) in 2026, with Farage having previously said that Reform would win “a lot of seats”.

Reform did not win any in Wales in this year’s general election, but came second in 13 of the 32 seats and secured 16.9% of the vote.