His position differs from that of Farage, who leads the insurgent party across the U.K. It is an early sign of the challenge that faces Farage — who has long had a presidential-like hold on his parties — in reconciling the messaging from Reform’s growing network of office-holders.
While a Reform spokesperson told POLITICO it would keep the NHS free at the point of use for British citizens, Farage has not ruled out other reforms, such as moving funding of the NHS from general taxation to an insurance system.
Asked at the party’s Welsh manifesto launch on Mar. 5 if he would be prepared to look at reforms such as a French-style insurance system (in which citizens have mandatory insurance and pay through social security contributions), Farage said: “That would be a national decision ahead of a general election.”
He added: “On the big U.K. picture of health, I’m prepared to consider any alternative to the failure we’ve got now … as for devolved powers, I’ll let Dan speak to that.”
Thomas later said he would not support moving to an insurance-based system in Wales. “No, no,” he said in an interview. “We rule out any kind of insurance system or any kind of privatization.
“It will be free at the point of use. That’s what the public in Wales wants, and that’s what we will deliver.”