David John Rowlands is a Welsh politician, who was a Member of the Senedd (MS) for South Wales East from 2016 to 2021.^[1] Elected as an MS for the UK Independence Party (UKIP), Rowlands joined the Brexit Party in 2019. He later joined the Independent Alliance for Reform group in the Senedd in October 2020.

Born in the Welsh mining town of Argoed, he was educated at Pontllanfraith Grammar School obtaining A Levels in economics and geography before studying for a degree in business studies.^[2] Rowlands joined UKIP in 1998.

At the 2016 Welsh Assembly election, Rowlands was elected as one of two UKIP members for the South Wales East region.

In May 2019, he resigned from UKIP to join the newly-formed Brexit Party.^[3]

In the same month as his defection, Rowlands caused controversy by calling far-right activist Tommy Robinson a "courageous character". The Brexit Party distanced themselves from the remarks, saying that Rowlands' views did not "in any way" reflect the party's position. ^[4]

In mid October 2020, he formed a new group in the Senedd, the Independent Alliance for Reform, together with fellow MSs Mandy Jones and Caroline Jones.^[5]

Neither Rowlands nor any of the six other UKIP Senedd members were successful in retaining their seats at the 2021 Senedd election.

Rowlands has contested numerous seats as both a UKIP and later Reform UK candidate in General, Assembly, local and European elections.

In the 2001 general election, Rowlands stood as the UKIP candidate for Montgomeryshire.^[6]

He contested New Inn ward in Torfaen in the 2004 Welsh local election, where he won 811 votes.

In the 2015 UK General election, Rowlands stood as the UKIP candidate for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney. He won 18.7%, retaining his deposit.

He contested Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney in the 2016 National Assembly for Wales election. He won 4,277 votes, finishing second to Welsh Labour's Dawn Bowden. In the same election, Rowlands was elected as an Assembly Member for the South Wales East region, alongside fellow UKIP candidate, Mark Reckless.

In the 2017 UK General election, Rowlands stood again for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney. He came fourth with 1,484 votes, a reduction in his previous vote share.

At the 2021 Senedd election, Rowlands stood in Newport East for Reform UK, coming last with 328 votes (1.4%). He was also third on his party's list in the South Wales East region, but was unsuccessful in retaining his seat. Incidentally, none of the other Reform or UKIP candidates were successful in that election.

Westminster Parliament elections

European Parliament elections

Welsh Assembly elections (Constituency Seats)

Welsh Assembly elections (Regional Seats)