Cory Edwards, announced just a day earlier as Reform UK’s lead candidate for the Bridgend and Vale of Glamorgan constituency in the Welsh Parliament elections on 7 May, has withdrawn his candidacy. The reason was the emergence online of an old photograph in which he appears, in the view of many, to be performing a Nazi salute and mimicking Adolf Hitler’s moustache.
The photo was published by Nation.Cymru shortly after Edwards was announced as a candidate. In the image, he raises his right hand in the characteristic gesture while touching his upper lip with a finger of his left hand. Edwards previously worked as a special adviser to Conservative politician David T. C. Davies.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage initially defended the candidate, describing the incident as a “Fawlty Towers-style impression.” However, on 27 March the party announced that Edwards was voluntarily stepping down from the race on mental health grounds.
“Cory Edwards has informed us that he is withdrawing from the Senedd election campaign in May due to mental health issues,” Reform UK Wales stated. Edwards himself had previously apologised, condemned the Nazi regime, and stated that the photo was taken many years ago.
The incident drew sharp criticism from opposition parties. The Liberal Democrats called the Nazi salute “one of the most repugnant symbols” and demanded that Farage immediately remove the candidate. Welsh and British media have characterised the episode as yet another scandal surrounding Reform UK, a party frequently accused of attracting individuals with far-right views.
The Welsh Parliament elections are scheduled for 7 May 2026. Reform UK is making an active push to establish itself in Wales, but incidents such as this severely damage the party’s reputation.
The party is currently searching for a replacement for Edwards in the key constituency.