A Welsh Reform UK councillor has come under scrutiny for posting music tracks featuring explicit lyrics, despite denying any involvement in their creation. Councillor David Thomas, also known as DJ Dowster, is credited online as a ‘composer’ of several controversial songs but insists he did not produce them.
Thomas, the leader of Reform’s Torfaen council group, recently switched allegiance from being an independent councillor. Known for his past as a ‘happy hardcore’ rave DJ, he has performed under the stage name DJ Dowster. However, his association with songs containing offensive lyrics has sparked backlash.
Controversial lyrics and online credits
An anonymous source contacted reporters to highlight offensive content posted on DJ Dowster’s YouTube channel, including lyrics referring to “stanking a** bes that need to wash up.” One song, titled Spack Attack, uses a term that can be derogatory towards individuals with cerebral palsy. Thomas is also credited as a co-performer on C*k & Balls, a track containing sexually explicit lyrics.
Despite being listed on both YouTube and Spotify as a composer and producer alongside artist Sam Thomsitt—known as Vagabond—Reform UK has denied Thomas had any creative involvement. A party spokesman told WalesOnline: “These songs were created by Sam Thomsitt and not Cllr Thomas. All lyrics are samples from other music tracks and artists; none originate from Cllr Thomas.”
According to Reform UK, Thomas had merely shared the songs online to help his friend gain more exposure. The party claims the credits listing him as a composer is a mistake currently being rectified and that Thomas has not financially benefited from the music.
Public outrage and calls for resignation
The complainant expressed shock at the lyrics and questioned Thomas’ suitability as a political leader, stating: “Can you ask the leaders of Reform if this is the right person they should have leading their only group in Wales? He even spoke on stage at their conference a while back in Wales at the Celtic Manor.” They also highlighted the upcoming local election in Torfaen, raising concerns over Thomas’ campaign, adding: “Are the candidate and local party members happy being led by someone who [is linked to] things like: ‘F her right in the py’ and asking women to ‘get their ties out and shake them around’?”
Thomas’ Facebook page shows he was scheduled to perform as a DJ as recently as November 9 at the White Hut in Cwmbran. His Wikipedia page previously listed him as the founder of the Candy Crush Music record label, which allegedly signed Vagabond. However, a Reform spokesman clarified, “He doesn’t own that anymore.”
Political background and allegiance shifts
Thomas has a complex political history. Originally elected as a Labour councillor for the Llantarnam ward in 2017, he later ran as a Brexit Party candidate in the 2019 general election, reportedly wore a Conservative rosette at the 2021 Senedd elections, and has since moved between various independent groups before joining Reform UK.
During a council meeting, Labour’s Panteg councillor Nathan Yeowell accused Thomas of attempting to rejoin Labour before switching to Reform, claiming he had changed political allegiance seven times. In the same meeting, Labour councillor Sue Malson called him “Pinocchio” in response to his reasons for joining Reform. Thomas dismissed the criticisms, saying: “I’d like to thank everybody for kind remarks this morning and wish everyone all the very best in the future.”
Despite now representing Reform UK, Thomas previously described himself as a socialist. When questioned in 2019 about his political stance, he affirmed: “Yeah, I would say I’ve still got socialist values.”
However, Reform UK’s 2024 general election manifesto contained tax-cut pledges that, according to Sky News analysis, would disproportionately benefit high earners. The party’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, recently criticised Labour and Conservative leaders as “socialist twins.”
Reform’s plans for Wales
The controversy surrounding Thomas comes as Reform UK eyes the 2026 Senedd elections as a “massive target,” according to its chief whip, Lee Anderson.
For now, Thomas remains at the helm of the party’s only council group in Wales, but the backlash over his music connections continues to raise questions about his leadership and Reform UK’s stance on candidate vetting.
Reform UK councillor under fire over lewd music posts
