Wales election: Nick Ramsay leaves Welsh Tories to stand as independent

Nick RamsayGetty Images

Nick Ramsay has left the Conservative party and will stand as an independent

Deselected Conservative Nick Ramsay has left the party, saying he will stand as an independent in May's Welsh Parliament election.

Mr Ramsay, who represented the Monmouth constituency for 14 years, said he was unhappy with the party's direction.

Relations between Mr Ramsay and local party officials had broken down and local party members withdrew his candidacy last year.

The Welsh Tories thanked Mr Ramsay for his work and wished him well.

In a statement, Mr Ramsay said: "I have today resigned from the Welsh Conservative Party and the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd.

"I have been growing increasingly disillusioned with aspects of the direction of the Conservative Party and its movement away from the centre-ground of UK politics."

He alleged "a bullying culture emanating from some elements of the party".

"I can confirm I will be fighting the forthcoming Senedd election on an independent platform, a platform for real change."

Relations between Monmouth Conservative Association and Mr Ramsay got worse as 2020 wore on, and party members met to deselect him in December.

Mr Ramsay took legal action to stop members discussing the matter, but withdrew his challenge once it reached the courts.

It ended with the politician told to pay tens of thousands to the association.

WALES ELECTION: THE BASICS

What elections are happening? On 6 May, people across Wales will vote to elect 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs). The party or parties that can command the support of a majority of members will form the Welsh government. Find out more here.

What powers does the Welsh Parliament have? MSs pass laws on many aspects of day-to-day life in Wales, such as health, education and transport. They also have control over some taxes. Defence, foreign policy and immigration are decided by the UK Parliament.

How do I vote? Anyone who lives in Wales and is registered to vote is eligible, so long as they are aged 16 or over on the day of the election. You can register to vote online.

Mr Ramsay was initially ordered to pay £25,000 in legal costs, but this was followed by a further legal challenge to get him to comply.

He paid the cash in March, but was later told by the High Court to provide another £19,200.

In March, party members picked Monmouthshire council leader Peter Fox to represent the Conservatives in the election.

Mr Ramsay had the opportunity to take part in the selection meeting, but withdrew the evening it was taking place.

'Sadly inevitable'

Nick Hackett-Pain, chairman of the Monmouth Conservative Association, said Mr Ramsay's charge of a bullying culture was a "veiled stab" at the association, which he said was "entirely unfounded and inaccurate".

A source within the Conservative party told BBC Wales Mr Ramsay had had a "challenging couple of years with a number of unfortunate incidents, which resulted in his deselection by his local association".

"His decision was sadly inevitable and comes as no surprise due to his need to be eligible for an exit pay-out so he can settle the substantial court bills that have been racked up," the source added.

Members who stand but fail to be re-elected are entitled to a resettlement grant.

However, Mr Ramsay said his court bills "will be met from elsewhere and it's simply fictitious to suggest otherwise".

"This is pretty desperate stuff," he said.

"As the sitting member for Monmouth I have the same right as any other elected member to put my name forward for re-election and to give my constituents the option to return me on the basis of my record and ideas.

"Let's not forget that Monmouth Conservative Association has also been left with legal bills which will no doubt be of concern to its members."

In the 2016 election, Mr Ramsay had a majority of 5,147 with Labour coming second.

A Welsh Conservative spokeswoman said: "We would like to thank Nick Ramsay for the work he has done over the years, and wish him well for the future."

The Monmouth constituency candidates for the 6 May poll include:

  • Conservative - Peter Fox

  • Green Party - Ian Chandler

  • Labour - Catrin Maby

  • Liberal Democrat - Jo Watkins

  • Plaid Cymru - Hugh Kocan

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