Benjamin McKenna
Benjamin McKenna | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2026 | |
| Member of the Senedd for Afan Ogwr Rhondda | |
| Assumed office 8 May 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Benjamin George Hodge McKenna 1999 (age 26–27) |
| Party | Reform UK |
Benjamin George Hodge McKenna[1] (born 1999) is a Reform UK Wales politician who has represented Afan Ogwr Rhondda since May 2026.
Early life and business career
[edit]McKenna was born in 1999.[2] In November 2022 he incorporated BHM Estates and Lettings Ltd, a property lettings company registered in Port Talbot, of which he was the sole director. The company was dissolved in April 2025.[3]
Political career
[edit]McKenna was elected as Member of the Senedd for Afan Ogwr Rhondda at the 2026 Senedd election on 8 May 2026.
During the campaign, McKenna advocated for re-opening Welsh coal mines using modern technologies, arguing that Welsh emissions are "absolutely minuscule" on a global scale and that Wales should not be "automatically closed off to any options" regarding its natural resources.[4][5] The proposals were criticised by other parties, including the Liberal Democrats, who described them as "fantasy politics".[6] McKenna also campaigned on immigration, stating that illegal migration was "definitely a concern of a lot of voters I'm speaking to" and was having an impact on local communities.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Senedd election: Afan Ogwr Rhondda Constituency - Statement of persons and parties nominated and notice of poll" (PDF). Neath Port Talbot Council. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
- ^ "BHM Estates and Lettings Ltd — Officers". Companies House. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
- ^ "BHM Estates and Lettings Ltd". Companies House. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
- ^ Palmer, Mark (2026-04-02). "Reviving coal can help Wales' energy needs, says Reform candidate". BBC News. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
- ^ "Ben Hodge-McKenna on reopening Welsh coal mines". Coal Action Network. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
- ^ "Reform UK's coal mining plans branded 'fantasy politics'". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
- ^ "UK prime minister Keir Starmer faces a defining test amid growing anger at Labour". SBS News. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
