Forward Wales
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| Forward Wales/Cymru Ymlaen | |
|---|---|
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| Leader | Dr. John Marek |
| Founded | November 8, 2003 |
| Headquarters | 67 Regent Street Wrexham, LL11 1PG |
| Political Ideology | Socialism, Welsh internationalism |
| Political Position | Left wing |
| International Affiliation | none |
| European Affiliation | none |
| European Parliament Group | none |
| Colours | Red and White |
| Website | www.forwardwales.org |
| See also | Politics of the UK |
Forward Wales (or Cymru Ymlaen in Welsh) is 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 is the party's national convenor.
On 8 November 2003, the JMIP decided to rename itself Forward Wales. The party seeks to advance socialist policies for Wales as an alternative to what it perceives as a Labour Party which has moved away from socialism.
Forward Wales has recruited various existing politicians disillusioned with their current parties such as:
- Ron Davies, a former Secretary of State for Wales under the Labour Party;
- Dr. Graeme Beard, a former Plaid Cymru councillor in Caerphilly;
- Klaus Armstrong-Braun, a former Green Party councillor on Flintshire County Council.
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[edit] Principles
The party lists its principles as being:
For a democratic socialist Wales:
- All people of Wales regardless of ethnic origin, creed, gender or sexual orientation are equal citizens and Forward Wales will represent all without favour or discrimination and based on these founding principles.
- Wales should enjoy parity with Scotland within the current constitutional arrangements in the UK and should enjoy no fewer powers than any other of the UK nations or regions should any further devolution arrangements be enacted.
- The UK is a rich state but has unacceptable variations in wealth and opportunity between its peoples and regions. We seek to reduce those variations and wish to secure for Wales levels of public spending that accurately reflect the relative levels of economic prosperity and social provision between Wales and other parts of the UK.
- We are committed to open and pluralist politics and will co operate with other political parties in Wales, the UK and Europe where common causes exist.
- We will support and take part in international movements designed to secure peace, freedom, international co-operation for sustainable world development and social justice.
- Recognising the quality of modern economic and social life depends on public services, we are committed to the maintenance of such services within the public realm.
- Understanding that healthy politics requires robust debate, party members shall at all times be respectful, tolerant and considerate to others.
- We defend the civil rights of all language communities. Understanding the value, importance, but threatened status, of the Welsh language, we support special measures throughout Wales and especially in vulnerable core areas to nurture the language and build sustainable communities on which it ultimately depends.
- As a democratic party we encourage local participation, with the aim of creating self reliant and sustainable communities equipped to take maximum decisions on their own behalf as the basis for a socialist society.
- Sustainability is the most fundamental of all principles. We do not believe any-one has the right to act in a way which diminishes the life chances of future generations and so the long term consequences shall guide our policies in all that we seek to do.
The party is strongly pro-devolution but opposes notions of Welsh independence[citation needed].
[edit] Recent history and results
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) announced its support for Forward Wales, following on from its backing of the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) in Scotland.[citation needed]
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 actually stood as Forward Wales candidate leaving the party without representation in the National Assembly.
Abortive talks were also held with Blaenau Gwent People's Voice Group.
[edit] References
On 22 January 2008, a Google search stated the following regarding the erswhile website of Forward Wales: "The domain forwardwales.org has expired."
[edit] External links
- Forward Wales (Official WWW Site)
