Forward Wales was a socialist political party operating in Wales. It evolved from the John Marek Independent Party (JMIP), formed by the ex-Labour member of the Welsh Assembly, John Marek who was the party's national convenor. On 8 November 2003, the JMIP decided to rename itself Forward Wales. The party sought to advance socialist policies for Wales as an alternative to what it perceived as a Labour Party which had moved away from socialism. Forward Wales had recruited various existing politicians disillusioned with their current parties such as:

Principles

The party listed its principles as being: For a democratic socialist Wales: The party was strongly pro-devolution but opposed notions of Welsh independence.

History and results

At the European election in 2004, they polled 17,280 votes, 1.9% of the Welsh total. In the 2007 National Assembly for Wales election, Marek and Davies, while both remaining part of the Forward Wales leadership, stood as independents, but neither was elected and no-one stood as a Forward Wales candidate leaving the party without representation in the National Assembly. Abortive talks were also held with Blaenau Gwent People's Voice Group. Forward Wales contested the 2004 Wrexham County Borough Council election in which they won one seat, closely missing out on a second, and received 11.7% of the votes in the election. David Bithell was elected for the Johnstown ward for Forward Wales, but would later become an independent who is still elected to Wrexham County Borough Council as of the 2022 Wrexham County Borough Council election. Alwyn Humphreys unsuccessfully contested Clwyd South for Forward Wales in the 2005 UK General Election where he received 2.4% of the vote share. It was announced in January 2010 that Forward Wales would not renew its registration with the electoral commission and the party was disbanded. Marek subsequently joined the Conservative Party in March 2010. Ron Davies unsuccessfully stood as the Plaid Cymru candidate in Caerphilly during the 2011 Welsh Assembly elections.