Expelled Plaid Cymru Assembly Member Neil McEvoy registers new ‘Welsh National Party’
Independent Assembly Member Neil McEvoy has registered a new party called the Welsh National Party.
The new party was registered on the 15th of January, according to the Electoral Commission.
Neil McEvoy, who was originally elected for Plaid Cymru to represent the South Wales Central region before being expelled in 2017, is listed as the party’s leader.
“I confirm that we have registered the Welsh National Party. Exciting news will follow in the near future,” Neil McEvoy told Nation.Cymru.
Challenge
The Welsh translation of the party is Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru. The party registration also includes three images – one an outline of Wales and two of the Welsh dragon.
Neil McEvoy is expected to challenge First Minister Mark Drakeford in the Cardiff West constituency at the next Welsh Assembly election in May of next year. The new party is registered to an address in the constituency.
Assembly Member Neil McEvoy withdrew his application to re-join Plaid Cymru in July of last year.
He cited an “absence of natural justice” and “due process” as the reasons behind the move.
Plaid Cymru’s AMs voted to suspend the South Wales Central AM in October 2017.
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Mmm – might be interesting. Let’s see how it goes …
If you believe that, you’ll believe anything.
Truth ? You must be joking .
Tell us why he’s wrong then.
I’ll give you just a couple of for instances, because it’s late: 1/ He put his arse on the line in order to expose a case of alleged child abuse recently; 2/ He travelled well out of his constituency to campaign against a Welsh town council that had banned a piece of Cofiwch Dryweryn graffito.
Perhaps he does enjoy the good salary, but he actually earns it, and there’s no evidence that he’s only in it for the money. In fact he’s one of the few AMs against whom that allegation cannot justifiably be laid. But you know that, really.
Best of luck Neil.
Ultimately as someone who considers themselves a moderate in the movement I don’t much care about the internal shenanigans between Plaid and Neil. I only care about the removal of Unionists from the Senedd. Removing Mark Drakeford from Cardiff West would be a huge scalp for the movement as a whole.
I’m sure we all wait in anticipation to see if Plaid do field a candidate in Cardiff West. Personally would prefer they not.
Very timely choice of title, though WNP doesn’t trip off the tongue like SNP. Can perhaps wear with pride the epithets Nats or Welsh Nats, used by Labour as insults, but no longer!
I dont agree…… Plaid have been very short sighted and clicky….and alienated a lot of members. Myself included.
There have been a few National Parties: the most (in)famous one being in South Africa. The name covers every shade of politics from the National Alliance in Italy on the right across to the Scottish National Party on the centre left. It will be interesting to see what kind of policy programme the WNP offers as names can be confusing. Let’s hope it is not like Forward Wales or Respect, a personal vehicle masquerading as a political party.
The Welsh Neil Party ?
But hopefully not a(n other) Welsh Kneel Party. It’s time for Wales to stand up!
Its Welsh Neil again.
Go get him Neil .
Interesting development. More plurality in Welsh politics can only be a good thing But surely ‘Plaid Gemedlaethol Cymru’ as the Welsh name is a non-starter with the Electoral Commission? Plaid are sure to be successful with an objection to the fact that this name is a direct appropriation of their official title. It just makes you a little bit wary of the vexatious nature of Neil Mcevoy at times- surely he knows that using this name is going to lead to a huge public fall-out with Plaid yet again?? Yes, of course he has been treated appallingly by Plaid, but… Read more »
You highlight the reason why I too think this might be an interesting development. As things stand, mainstream politics in Wales is solidly unionist, which makes it easy for opponents to depict the agenda of ultimate independence as a quaint and eccentric oddity. But if two serious parties were to emerge which share the ultimate independence platform while differing in other areas of policy, I can’t see that the effect would be other than to nudge ultimate independence rather more into the political mainstream. As you say, it does rather depend on how Neil McEvoy handles it, and I agree… Read more »
You make a very good point with regards the name of neil mcevoy’s proposed new party. But you flatter gwlad gwlad when you describe them as ‘centre-right’. They promoted racist and anti semitic conspiracy theories on their now defunct website and only yesterday on their fb page were praising far right parties contesting ireland’s general election
Actually, I find Adam Price quite inspiring. And he has that American look; cool on TV, plus brains.
Much more attractive than “tuck yer shirt in!” at number ten Stryd Downing.
Appearances can be deceptive although you are probably bang on the money regarding Bunter !
Adam price said we should shut Westminster down and move it all to the north of England quote he’s useless
Well done Neil, if Plaid fail to fight this nuclear dumping in the bay, I’ll be resigning from Plaid and joining your party
Good luck Niel i hope you and gwlad can form a solid platform to go-ahead for a great success
Sincerely hope neil mcevoy’s proposed new party wont be linking up with the deranged climate change denying, lgbt hating, muslim bashing neo thatcherites gwlad gwlad
Gwlad, Gwlad have said nothing that suggests hatred of lgbt people; they have simply concluded that solving the alleged problems of this group is less of a priority when compared to the economic, social and cultural problems facing Wales as a whole right now. They also seem to have concluded that it is China, India, the USA and others — and not Wales — that is reponsible for climate change and that the OnePlanet Wales and Summit to Sea scams will not protect the planet from environmental armageddon. As a pro-independence party, they are about as likely to be neo-Thatcherite… Read more »
Labour and the Tories will be delighted. Splitting the nationalist vote is a dream come true for them.
It was Plaid that split it.
How has plaid split the nationalist vote?
By conspiring with Deryn and the Labour Party to try ruin the most hard working, effective politician Wales has.
Like many others I’ll never vote Plaid again ever.
Ridiculous.
Plaid Cymru’s policies and actions since Ieuan Wyn Jones’s leadership have left independence supporters with no choice but to form new nationalist parties. You’re right, it will split the vote initially, and result in a few lost deposits, as well as clearing a path for unionist parties. But the effort has to be made to present a clear picture to the electorate of why independence or at least greater devolution would be in Wales’s interest. It is also vital to present manifestos that put Cymru’s interests first. In the end, it will pay off. Plaid has singularly failed, or shied… Read more »
Plaid exists to secure independence for wales – and has repeatedly called for the strengthening of welsh devolution –
neither of your claims stand up.
When I was a Plaid member I emailed both Dai Lloyd plus Head Office on a number of occasions asking why Leanne at the time totally avoided speaking about Independence. The only times she did speak about it was when it was an audience situation and an audience member asked the question directly. So she couldn’t avoid it. That was the reason I left the party. Plaid does, in theory, exist to secure Independence for Wales. But they were doing nothing to achieve it at that time. And, by the way, Dai Lloyd has replied to every email I sent… Read more »
I know what the constitution says about independence, but when are they going to spell out the obvious advantages? You’re right, though, about devolution, and I was being unfair, but, Leigh, I just don’t think they’re proactive enough on these two crucial issues at election time. Gwlad or the WNP are going to steal their thunder on this one unless they up their game. Putting devolution and independence aside, it should be easy to defeat a basket case like Welsh Labour over local issues, but they’ve only got until next year to do it. Local instances of colonialism, and the… Read more »
….. and allowing itself to be taken over by the ‘Identitarian Left’ obsessives.
By wanting to remain in the EU where there is no such thing as independence.
Redmonde Mock, if you don’t support plaid, then vote for Gwlad Gwlad, who are another nationalist party. The assembly elections are proportional, there is no “vote splitting”. The only thing dividing nationalism is polarised, ignorant, tribalism.
Er there’s no such thing as independence in the uk
Plaid Cymru a nationalists party? Chris Franks obviously has a sense of humour.
The foundation of a multi-polar Welsh national movement now puts the responsibility for coordination for the independence movement in the hands of Yes Cymru and AUOB to ensure that must be no infighting that will allow unionism to dominate. This is important since we still have FPTP elements in our own electorial system ( also the total of the UK elections offered). The London based Labour and Conservative parties are ready to divide us. They have shown to work together to divide us. They will fail us in the interests of the UK elite until we the people of Wales… Read more »
Looking at the responses – here and elsewhere- i feel bound to ask will neil mcevoy’s proposed new party be made up of anything except embittered former members/embittered former supporters of plaid cymru? Hardly the basis for a meaningful electoral outfit! Another ein gwlad debacle beckons
Why are Welsh Nationalists become embittered with Plaid Cymru then?
See my reply above.
They can tell you that themselves – but there’s certainly not enough of them to constitute a political party that will make electoral headway.
I wonder if that’s the same trope the Unionists used to use back in the early days of Plaid?
What happens to embittered Labour Party members? They stay in the Party and make it un-electable. The same thing is happening to Plaid ‘Tired’ Cymru
Judging from his social media presence, bitter or any other kind of nationalist are a tiny minority. His supporters mainly appear to be single issue/MAGA/hard right/david icke conspiracy promoters. In reality, he will get at most, a couple of thousand votes in cardiff West. Any other candidate, if there will be any, are likely to embarrass or divide other supporters and most will not get more than a few hundred votes, wherever they stand. Attacking Christians doesn’t go down well with conservatives, defending muslims doesn’t go down well with the right wing, not condemning racists loses the left. This is… Read more »
We seem to be getting a proliferation of nationalist parties. I hope we don’t end up with a Judean People’s Front v People’s Front of Judea situation!
Best wishes to you and the new party, Neil McEvoy . Those who seek to brand you racist, fascist, homophobe, mysoginist, transphobe, etc etc are simple defaulting into their limited vocabulary when they are unable to muster a well constructed criticism. They know damned well that your current circumstances dictate such a move. Whether you engage with Gwlad is entirely a matter for you and your colleagues to decide, free from the jaundiced input wise owls of Plaid who saw fit to climb into the pit with the LibDem disaster party. Plaid is leaking members, perhaps not as quickly as… Read more »
Will there be a leadership contest?
Mr McEvoy may do well in the Cardiff West constituency seat at SE2021, If WNP or GG want more seats in the Senedd, their best hope is the regional lists. One or other party needs to rank in the top 4 by vote share. The big winner for the 4th spot in SE 2016 was UKIP, the big loser -Lib Dems. Recent polls indicate a party on an abolish the Senedd ticket might be a contender in SE2021 Is there a gap in the market for local parties/candidates targeting constituency seats, given the conviction of many that: 1) communities outside… Read more »
McEvoy’s party may yet emerge as a network of “community” activists confronting matters of immediate concern to their local electorate. Would make a nice change from politicians who “care” about far away ishoos but look down their pampered noses at people on their home turf.
Leigh Richards:” Deranged climate change deniers, lbgq hating, muslim bashing, pro-thatcherite, far-right Gwlad’. Labelling and smearing may sound good in your echo chamber Leigh-but the downticks on your comments suggest there is less and less of an audience for this tired old approach by now. GWLAD is an unashamedly traditional nationalist party-you know, the kind of party Plaid used to be years ago before it was infiltrated by the social justice warrior brigade, all with their own little agendas, along with the careerists who saw opportunities for themselves as part of Plaid’s cosy relationshio with Labour down the Bay. I… Read more »
As far as I can see Gwlad does seem to be right wing, as for smearing, the term SJW is a dog whistle right wing smear. Many of us want an independent Wales not as a carbon copy of the UK, but as a progressive beacon, and Plaid has always supported progressive causes. As someone who joined in 1974 I can attest to that. As to a multiplicity of nationalist parties being good, the PR system we have is not pure PR, it gives a big bonus to the largest party, it discriminates against smaller parties. Splitting the nationalist vote… Read more »
That raises an interesting point. Whose fault is it if the vote is split? Because if a party loses support to a rival party surely the fault lays with within said party for not offering a competing vision that supporters and voters can believe in? Kind of feel this whole splitting the vote argument is ideological protectionism. If Plaid has competition it means it’ll have to change – and many within the party simply do not want that – which is effectively a big reason why this is unfolding.
All this could have been avoidable. That’s the tragic tale here.
Yeah, there must be quite a few New Left Review -readers in Plaid, but for me Adam still has the goods to bring things around to a centrist (ducks the cabbage) position. Da Iawn, Wrecsam Plaid!
Well said!
Good luck Neil….lets hope it goes well, we need an alternative to Plaid!!
At least if he establishes his own party he can avoid more disciplinary hearings and sanctions. Those who think McEvoy has any redeeming features will have a new political home. Lovely