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Monmouth candidate who stood for county to become part of England now pro-Welsh indy

09 Apr 2021 2 minute read
Laurence Williams. Picture by Laurence Williams.

Ten years ago Laurence Williams stood in a Senedd election on a platform of Monmouth becoming part of England.

Now he’s standing in the same county arguing that Wales – including Monmouth – should break away completely and form its own independent state.

Laurence Williams is Gwlad’s candidate in Monmouth, one of 14 constituency and 21 list candidates they have announced for the Senedd election on 6 May.

But in 2011 he stood for the English Democrats as their candidate on the South East Wales regional list, when the party was arguing for a referendum on taking the county out of Wales and into England.

He told Nation.Cymru that “my feet are firmly in Camp Cymru now, regardless of previous dalliances there!”

“It’s a brilliant opportunity for a third-generation London Welshman like myself, to argue the case for the independence of my homeland at such a crucial election,” he added.

‘Impressive’

Gwlad describe themselves as a centre-right pro-independence party, in contrast with Plaid Cymru’s progressive and socialist stance.

Their manifesto policies include opposing re-joining the EU, a 500% council tax surcharge on second and subsequent homes, and the privatisation of BBC Wales, and extending Welsh medium education to every primary school in Wales.

Aled Gwyn Job, the party’s communications officer, said that they were the “largest non-Bay Bubble party contesting the election”.

They will be standing on the list in every party of Wales and in:

  • Llanelli, Montgomeryshire and Brecon & Radnorshire in Mid and West Wales
  • Clwyd West, Wrexham and Delyn in North Wales
  • The Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff Central and Cardiff South and Penarth in South Wales Central
  • Monmouth and Torfaen in South Wales East
  • Bridgend, Gower and Aberavo in South Wales West

They will also be putting forward a candidate, Clayton Jones, for the Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner Elections.

“Contesting a third of the constituencies along with a full slate of candidates on the List is an impressive achievement for a small, grass-roots party at its first Welsh election,” Aled Gwyn Job said.

“Whatever one’s political inclinations, hopefully most people will agree that new parties and new ideas are needed to strengthen our democracy and solidify the civic forum in Wales.”


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