David John Rowlands (born April 1948) is a Welsh politician who was a Member of the Senedd (MS) for South Wales East from 2016 to 2021. 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.
Biography 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. Rowlands joined UKIP in 1998.
Political career In the 1997 general election, Rowlands stood as the UKIP candidate for Shrewsbury, coming sixth place with 477 votes. In the 2001 general election, Rowlands stood again as UKIP candidate, for Monmouth.
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 came second to Labour's Gerald Jones, with 18.7%, retaining his deposit.
Rowlands re-contested Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney at the 2017 general election, finishing fourth, and taking 1,484 votes (4.4%).
Senedd career At the 2016 National Assembly for Wales election, Rowlands finished second in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, receiving 4,277 votes (21%). He was first on UKIP's list in the South Wales east region, and was appointed as an additional member.
Resignation from UKIP In May 2019, he resigned from UKIP to join the newly-formed Brexit Party. 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.
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.
At the 2021 Senedd election, Rowlands sought re-election as a Reform UK candidate, taking just 328 votes (1.4%) in Newport East. He was also the third-placed Reform UK candidate on the regional list, though neither he nor his party were successful. Similarly, UKIP failed to return any of their candidates, with most of Rowlands’ Senedd colleagues having stood unsuccessfully for other parties.
At the 2026 Senedd election, Rowlands was the fourth-placed candidate on the Reform list for the newly-created Sir Fynwy Torfaen constituency.
Electoral history Westminster Parliament elections Date of election ConstituencyParty Votes % of votes Result2017 electionMerthyr Tydfil and RhymneyUKIP1,4844.4Not elected2015 electionMerthyr Tydfil and RhymneyUKIP6,10618.7Not elected2010 electionNewport EastUKIP6772.0Not elected2001 electionMonmouthUKIP7862.7Not elected
European Parliament elections Date of election ConstituencyParty Votes % of votes ResultEuropean Election 2014Wales (4th on list)UKIP201,98327.55Not electedEuropean Election 2009Wales (4th on list)UKIP87,58512.8Not electedEuropean Election 2004Wales (1st on list)UKIP96,67710.5Not elected
Welsh Assembly elections (Constituency Seats) Date of election ConstituencyParty Votes % of votes Result2026 Senedd election Sir Fynwy Torfaen (4th on list) Reform 24,155 31.1 Not elected2021 Senedd electionNewport EastReform3281.4Not electedAssembly election 2016Merthyr Tydfil and RhymneyUKIP4,27720.7Not electedAssembly election 2003Torfaen UKIP1,3777.0Not elected
Welsh Assembly elections (Regional Seats) Date of election ConstituencyParty Votes % of votes Result2021 Senedd electionSouth Wales East (3rd on list)Reform2,7561.3Not electedAssembly election 2016South Wales East (1st on list)UKIP34,52417.8ElectedAssembly election 2011South Wales East (2nd on list)UKIP9,5265.3Not electedAssembly election 2007South Wales East (1st on list)UKIP8,7254.6Not electedAssembly election 2003South Wales East (1st on list)UKIP5,9493.5Not elected
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