Ron Davies joined the Labour Party in 1965

Mr Davies, who quit Labour a month ago after 40 years as a member saying devolution was in "a mess", is joining the left-leaning Forward Wales party set up by Dr Marek last November.

Marek left Labour after he was deselected as the party's assembly candidate for Wrexham, but regained the seat as an independent in last May's assembly elections.

Former Caerphilly MP and AM Mr Davies said Labour was not addressing the "two big issues" of funding for Wales and powers for the assembly.

He told BBC Wales: "The case I'm making is that there's a vacuum at the moment in Welsh politics.

"Labour is looking too much towards London and can't focus on Wales and isn't dealing with the issues that could empower us in Wales.

There's a need for a radical, left-of-centre force in Welsh politics and we just don't have that at the moment - apart from Forward Wales Ron Davies

"It isn't addressing the two big issues - powers for the assembly or reform of the Barnett Formula.

"Plaid Cymru by their continuing dalliance with the idea of independence are just disqualifying themselves for serious consideration.

"There's a need for a radical, left-of-centre force in Welsh politics and we just don't have that at the moment - apart from Forward Wales."

He said the party was right for Wales at the moment.

"We have seen the Labour party drifting to the right.

"You could say it's the Labour party with a Welsh attitude, but it isn't a pale imitation of the Labour party or a recreation of Plaid Cymru.

"It's firmly rooted in left-of-centre politics. It's based in reality, it has a vision for Wales which is fair, is prosperous and which is left wing."

Controversy

Mr Davies, described as the "architect of devolution" after successfully steering the Government of Wales Act through Parliament, faced disgrace after his "moment of madness" on Clapham Common in October 1998.

Within days, he was also forced to quit as leader of the Wales Labour Party.

He then resigned his AM post in March last year following controversy over newspaper reports of an alleged woodland sex liaison.

He was replaced by the Labour Party's Jeff Cuthbert following the assembly election in May.

John Marek said Mr Davies is a welcome addition to his party, which currently has more than 100 members.

"I am delighted that Ron is joining our party, he is an excellent politican," he said.

"Forward Wales will now be taken seriously as a party."

Mr Davies had a long history in the Labour Party, joining in 1965 and serving as a local councillor for 15 years.

He was born in Machen, near Newport - where he still lives - and was educated at Bassaleg Grammar, Portsmouth Polytechnic, the University College of Wales, Cardiff and London University.