Independents unveil poll charter

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A group of independents standing in the Welsh assembly election have published a "charter" setting out what they would do if elected.

The group, who include former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies, have invited all independents standing on 3 May to sign.

It says they would not "accept any collective discipline" and would put the interests of constituents first.

The document has been endorsed by John Marek and Trish Law, the only two independents in the last assembly.

There are more than 25 independents contesting seats around Wales, and the group behind the charter said they expected many to sign it, although they would not specify a figure.

Mr Davies said it was not a manifesto as they were not claiming to be a party, but it was right that independents should set out in advance what they believe.

He described the charter as laying out a "framework of policies" they would expect a future Welsh Assembly Government to follow.

It also says that "people want to see communities represented by their own people, making judgements based on local circumstances and local needs.

'Open, modern and efficient'

"People are suspicious of political parties which put their own interests before the interests of people."

The charter says the nation needs an "open, modern and efficient" assembly government which "draws on the talents from all parts of Wales and from all those elected".

It also says that sort of government is most likely if no party has a majority.

In the last assembly, Labour was in power as a minority government with 29 seats. Plaid Cymru had 12, Conservatives 11, Liberal Democrats six and there were two independents.

Mr Davies would not speculate on whether any elected independents would take part in a coalition government, and said they would have to look at the situation after polling day.

The charter sets out a series of commitments, including turning the assembly into a Scottish-style law-making parliament.

Its supporters also want an end to "postcode prescribing" on the NHS and a review of the Barnett formula to allocate money from Westminster to Wales, which it says penalises poorer areas.