Dr John Marek has launched a new party

During a launch on Monday, he described Forward Wales, Cymru Ymlaen, as a left wing party founded on 10 main principles, including commitment to public services and sustainability.

During a meeting on Saturday, Forward Wales recruited 60 members already, including some from outside the Wrexham area.

The former Labour AM and MP - who has represented Wrexham for 20 years - made history in May 2003 when he became the first independent to gain a seat in the Welsh assembly by taking the Wrexham seat.

Claiming he had been a victim of a "dirty tricks" campaign, Marek was not selected by his local Labour party who said he had been "disloyalty" over his criticism of the Labour-led administration.

"Forward Wales will not be some centrally-controlled party," he said on Monday.

Grass roots

"There will be a bit on independence for the branches. They will know in their own areas what the situation is, what the issues are. We are much more of an umbrella group in that respect, but we are still a party."

Forward Wales also believes the country should enjoy parity with Scotland within the current constitutional arrangements in the UK.

Dr Marek said it was natural for the party to be launched in Wrexham but hopes it will grow outwards as new members come on board and develop branches in other areas.

Forward Wales candidates will be put forward for the 2004 local council elections next year with its leader hoping to field 12 candidates, with the possibility of listing a candidate in the European elections.

Following the assembly elections in May, the politician told BBC News Online that he would target the Bryn Cefn ward of Wrexham's Labour leader Shan Wilkinson.

"There is a case for changing the council," he said at the time.

In terms of his assembly work, Dr Marek has said was elected to the assembly as an Independent AM and will continue under that title rather than Forward Wales.