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Welsh left looks to Sheridan for advice on how to succeed

DISAFFECTED left-wingers in Wales are to seek advice from Tommy Sheridan on how they can achieve the same kind of electoral success as the Scottish Socialists.

The SSP leader will travel to Wrexham next month to address a conference at which it is planned to announce the setting up of a left-of-centre political party in Wales.

John Marek, a former Labour MP, who won a first- past-the-post seat at the Welsh Assembly this year as an Independent, is the man behind the attempt to emulate the six-seat electoral breakthrough achieved by the SSP.

After serving as a Labour member of the assembly, he failed to be selected as a candidate and defied the party by standing under his own banner.

He said: "We want the SSP to tell us about their experiences and we want to hear their views on how they got to where they are in Scotland."

He said the new Welsh party, which has yet to be named, would be determined to defend public services and would support increased powers for the Welsh Assembly. It would back the renationalisation of the rail network and oppose the creation of foundation hospitals.

Mr Sheridan said: "Wales, like Scotland, has suffered from the failure of New Labour and there are many good socialists in Wales looking for a new home. John Marek's victory at the Welsh Assembly election in May shows that Wales could follow the Scottish example and have a successful alternative to Labour and Plaid Cymru."

A hastily set up John Marek Independent Party won about 6.5% of the vote on the North Wales regional list at the May poll, which was almost enough to secure a seat. Mr Marek claimed this showed the potential basis of support for a new political grouping. The Herald

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Friday, July 25, 2003