McEvoy’s new party ‘cancelled’
THE new party set up by independent Member of the Senedd (MS) Neil McEvoy has been “deregistered” by the Electoral Commission.
The decision follows a complaint by Plaid Cymru over the name, which was registered on January 15 as the Welsh National Party with the Welsh translation Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru.
In early March the former Plaid MS was told his new political party cannot use the Welsh-language translation of its name on ballot papers.
And now, according to Mr McEvoy, who was temporarily suspended as a Cardiff councillor after breaching council’s code of conduct, the party has been deregistered.
Mr McEvoy claimed it had been deregistered following “a threat of legal action by Plaid Cymru over our name” and would now have to apply again.
Plaid Cymru has previously argued that the English name Welsh National Party was too close to its own party’s historic name and would be translated in official documents as Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru.
Plaid had written a prelitigation letter to the Electoral Commission, outlining why it thought the Commission’s processes were flawed and unlawful.
In a statement Mr McEvoy said it was “a shameful day for democracy in Wales”.
He added: “A new political party, which is poised to beat Wales’ First Minister in Cardiff West next year, is cancelled because a competitor complained. This kind of thing does not happen in democracies.
“The WNP has been formally registered with the Electoral Commission for months and is a fully functioning political party. I sit in the Welsh Parliament as a Welsh National Party member. We have six councillors sitting in three local authorities as Welsh National Party members, with others to be announced. We already have hundreds of members across the country who are paying their standing orders to the WNP.
“This decision is further proof of why we need fundamental change in Wales. The Establishment thinks it can do whatever it likes now. But they will find out, though, that there is a new force for change in Wales. We will be standing in the elections next year, come what may.”
In a letter provided by Mr McEvoy the Electoral Commission said: “Having considered that letter and the documentation concerning your application, I regret to inform you that the Commission has concluded that it has to consider your application to register afresh.
“The Commission is necessarily doing this to follow its normal process of placing notifications of registration applications on its website to allow representations to be made. Further, in relation to this particular application the effect of the Welsh Language Measure is of course a matter to be included in the consideration.”
It added that this meant that “the decision of 15th January 2020 to register your Party is of no effect” but said it would treat his application as a new application.
The Electoral Commission also apologised to Mr McEvoy: “I apologise on behalf of the Commission for the inconvenience caused to your party and assure you we will endeavour to complete procedure and reach a final decision as soon as reasonably practicable.”
A spokesman for the party said: “Plaid Cymru welcomes the Electoral Commission’s decision to consider the application afresh.
“This step is a recognition of what we have argued from the outset, which is that the Commission had acted unlawfully.
“Plaid Cymru will always protect its historic name.”
The Electoral Commission has been approached for comment.