James Evans is stepping down as Reform UK Wales’ health spokesperson and will take on a new role developing the party’s agriculture and rural affairs policy.

The Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd MS said he would return to the back benches after several years leading on health policy, and more recently sport.

He will now help develop Reform’s national policy on agriculture, food, the environment and rural affairs ahead of the next UK General Election.

Mr Evans said the issues were particularly important to him.

“These are issues I care deeply about, particularly representing a rural border constituency, and I look forward to helping shape the party’s work in these areas,” he said.

He will continue as chair of the Senedd’s Climate Change, Environment, Sustainability and Rural Affairs Committee.

He said: “After several years leading on health policy on the front bench in the Senedd, and more recently sport, I will be returning to the back benches. I’d like to wish Benjamin McKenna all the very best as he takes up his new role.

“It has been a real privilege to work with NHS staff, patients, charities and organisations across Wales on such an important brief.”

“My first priority remains representing the people of Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd to the very best of my ability, continuing my work as Chair of the Senedd’s Climate Change, Environment, Sustainability and Rural Affairs Committee, and supporting Helen [Jenner] and the wider team as we move forward,” he added.

He was expelled from the Conservative Party in January after rumours he was in talks with Reform, before formally joining the party the following month.

He was subsequently elected for Reform in May’s Senedd election, becoming one of three Reform MSs elected in the new Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd constituency.

Mr Evans previously served as a Powys County councillor for Gwernyfed and was the Welsh Conservatives’ shadow health and social care spokesperson.

He had been Reform’s shadow minister for health, prevention and sport before the latest changes.

The cabinet change follows the election of Helen Jenner as the new leader of Reform UK Wales.

Ms Jenner took over from Dan Thomas, who resigned as leader after being arrested on suspicion of assault and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour. Mr Thomas has been bailed pending further enquiries and has denied wrongdoing.

Mr Evans had been among those considered as a potential successor to Mr Thomas, but ruled himself out of the leadership contest.

At the time, he said he had received the support and encouragement of a “considerable number” of fellow MSs but believed a leadership contest risked creating “unnecessary division” within the group.

Ms Jenner said Mr Evans had done “incredible work” on the health brief and would play a key role in developing Reform’s agricultural and rural affairs policy nationally.

She also wished him well as he continued as committee chair and constituency representative.

The Reform Wales shadow cabinet is as follows:

• Helen Jenner – Leader of the Opposition and Welsh Language

• Laura Anne Jones – Deputy Leader and Food, Farming and Agriculture

• Llyr Powell – Chief Whip and Business Manager

• Benjamin Hodge Mckenna – Health and Prevention

• Stephen Senior – Education

• Cai-Parry Jones – Finance

• Francesca O’Brien – Local Government, Housing and Planning

• Louise Emery – Culture, Tourism, Sport and Hospitality; Deputy Whip

• Jason O’Connell – Economy and Transport

• Cristiana Emsley – Fairness, Families and Communities

• Dr Gareth Thomas – Disabilities, Mental Health and Armed Forces Communities

• Adrian Mason – Counsel General and Constitution

• Claire Archibald – Social Care

• Tom Montgomery – Skills

• Catherine Cullen – Children and Young People

• Iain McIntosh – Government Efficiency

• Joe Martin – Shadow Minister without Portfolio

• Paul Marr – Deputy Whip