THE UK’s anti-devolution movement has gained its first elected politician after an independent Brexiteer joined their party.
Gareth Bennett, a former Ukip leadership contender and a member of the Senedd, joined Wales’s Abolish the Assembly Party.
The party’s leader, Richard Suchorzewski, claimed his movement had backing in Scotland.
READ MORE: Ukip announce 'absurd' new plan for the Scottish Parliament
He said: “We have had some interesting nods of approval from Scottish Unionists who have had their fill of the Scottish Parliament but find themselves unrepresented with no viable party to support.
“They have been encouraged by us to take a leaf out of our book and take on the nationalists who are driving a wedge in the Union that, if continued, will inevitably lead to a forced independence they do not want.”
Bennett said he had joined Abolish because his time in the assembly had shown him “the establishment is an overpriced, unnecessary tier of politicians”.
He went on: “Over 20 years of devolution has seen our public services fall behind the rest of the UK, and the people of Wales are now worse off than before we had devolution.”
Bennett’s former party, Ukip, has been largely unsuccessful in Scotland but earlier this year announced its 2021 electoral platform would focus on abolishing Holyrood. It made the decision based on a poll it had commissioned which showed 16% of Scottish voters agreed with the position.
Meanwhile, a recent Panelbase poll on Scottish independence puts Yes support on 54% - and other recent surveys have indicated Scots are keen to see Holyrood given further powers.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel