Forward Wales
|
Forward Wales
Cymru Ymlaen |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Leader | Dr. John Marek |
| Chairman | Ron Davies (Policy Director) |
| Founded | November 8, 2003 |
| Dissolved | 2010 |
| Ideology |
Socialism, Welsh Nationalism |
| Political position | Left wing |
| European affiliation | None |
| International affiliation | None |
| European Parliament group | None |
| Colours | Red and White |
| Website | |
| None | |
Forward Wales (or Cymru Ymlaen in Welsh) was a political party operating in Wales. It evolved from the John Marek Independent Party (JMIP), formed by the ex-Labour member of the Welsh Assembly, John Marek who was the party's national convenor.
On 8 November 2003, the JMIP decided to rename itself Forward Wales. The party sought to advance socialist policies for Wales as an alternative to what it perceived as a Labour Party which had moved away from socialism.
Forward Wales had recruited various existing politicians disillusioned with their current parties such as:
The party listed its principles as being:
For a democratic socialist Wales:
The party was strongly pro-devolution but opposed notions of Welsh independence.
At the European election in 2004, they polled 17,280 votes, 1.9% of the Welsh total. In the National Assembly for Wales election, 2007, Marek and Davies, while both remaining part of the Forward Wales leadership, stood as independents, but neither was elected and no-one stood as a Forward Wales candidate leaving the party without representation in the National Assembly. Abortive talks were also held with Blaenau Gwent People's Voice Group.
It was announced in January 2010 that Forward Wales would not renew its registration with the electoral commission and the party was disbanded. Marek subsequently joined the Conservative Party in March 2010. Ron Davies unsuccessfully stood as the Plaid Cymru candidate in Caerphilly during the 2011 Welsh Assembly elections.
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