The RMT has given its support to Dr John Marek's Forward Wales

Last month the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) voted to continue to allow branches to affiliate to other political parties.

The move severed its links to Labour after more than 100 years of support.

The union had rejected an ultimatum from Labour to stop supporting the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP).

The decision of the Wrexham branch still has to be ratified by the union's council executive in the next few weeks.

"The RMT were clearly of the view that their affiliation to the Labour party was not producing any tangible results in favour of its members, " said Dr Marek.

He said it was the principles of Forward Wales - including a commitment to public services - which prompted the RMT to offer their support.

I am confidently expecting other unions will follow suit Dr Marek

"I was delighted that the Wrexham branch of the RMT union have asked to be affiliated with Forward Wales." said Dr Marek.

"Forward Wales believes in the policies the RMT does, for example the re-integration of the railway system, no PFI on the London Underground for safety reasons.

"I am confidently expecting other unions will follow suit and affiliate to Forward Wales."

The decision to back Wales' newest party received unanimous support at a union meeting on Thursday.

"Our members felt that the policies of Forward Wales and John Marek were more inline with RMT policies than the Labour Party," said RMT Wrexham branch secretary David Bithell.

"It is a really big statement really, we are probably the first RMT branch in Wales to ask to affiliate to another political party apart from Labour."

It comes as Forward Wales prepares to launch its campaign for a seat in the European Parliament.

Dr 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.

In November he unveiled plans to lead a political party in Wrexham - Forward Wales.

And last month former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies joined the left-leaning party.