Carmelo Colasanto, a newly elected Reform UK Member of the Senedd (MS), has opened up about the deep disillusionment that drove him to enter politics. The 61-year-old, who represents Sir Gaerfyrddin, said he had never watched Welsh Parliament proceedings or visited the Senedd building before his election. He decided to stand after a conversation with his wife, realizing he wanted to address years of pent-up anger.
A Journey from Switzerland to Wales
Born in Switzerland to Italian parents, Colasanto moved to Wales at age four. His father Giuseppe worked as a machinist, and his mother worked at Omega. He recalls his first day at school: "I can still remember it like it was yesterday—the head teacher, Mrs Churchill, and my mother taking me and my older brother. We didn't speak English. We were handed over, almost like ceremonially dumped with these teachers who would put us on a piano stool where we would sit all day and I would cry waiting for my mom."
His parents struggled with English, but Colasanto learned at school with support from friends. His father insisted on speaking Italian at home, a rule that taught him discipline: "My father said, 'Here's how it works. We are in this country, we're assimilating. When people come to this house, we speak English. When they're not here, we speak Italian.' I learned very quickly."
Political Awakening Through Disillusionment
Colasanto's political journey began with frustration. "I became very disillusioned with politics in this country, not any particular party, just the tone from the top," he said. "I'd sit and look at the TV and think, 'How can we expect people on the streets to behave when we don't demonstrate that tone from the top?'" His wife encouraged him to find a release, leading him to Reform UK.
He was drawn to Nigel Farage's consistency: "He never changed his messaging. Other politicians said they were tough on crime but weren't. I thought, 'If I had to align myself with any party, it would be Reform.'" Colasanto also cited his father's values: "My dad instilled in me about right, wrong, put your hand up when you've done something wrong, be consistent, don't back down."
Experiences with Racism and the Nation of Sanctuary Debate
Colasanto shared his own experiences of racism: "I suffered it. My parents suffered it. I watched as people racially abused my mother and father and mocked them because they couldn't speak proper English." Despite this, he supports scrapping Wales' Nation of Sanctuary scheme, which aids refugee integration. Between 2019-2025, the Welsh government spent 0.05% of its budget on the scheme, mostly for Ukrainian refugees.
He argues for controlled immigration: "My parents underwent exceptionally rigorous checks. They were never offered anything, nor did they want anything. My father was clear: if you come for a better life, you integrate and make it on your own." He added, "The Nation of Sanctuary doesn't exist in Scotland, so why need it here? It feels like we put the landing light on for our kids but left the door wide open."
Reluctance and Red Lines
Colasanto described himself as a "reluctant MS" who never expected to enter politics. "If you'd said two years ago I'd end up in the Senedd, I'd have asked you to drug test yourself," he said. He experienced "vitriol" as a councillor and fears being mischaracterized: "I know I will be painted as something I'm not. I think that's unfair."
He remains committed to his constituents: "There are times when I wonder what I've let myself in for, but I remember why I'm here. I said I would stick my head above the parapet for people." On working across parties, he stated: "There are red lines we won't cross, but I am happy to work with anybody for the greater good. If I'm not, I might as well go home."
