The United Kingdom Independence Party is opposed to the Welsh Assembly because it has been set up as part of the European Union's programme of 'regionalisation' . This will eventually lead to a Federal Europe or a United States of Europe. These regional assemblies, already in existence in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and London, are soon to be joined by 8 more to be set up in the English regions. The United Kingdom will then effectively cease to exist as it will be just 12 of the many European regions. Each one will be known by an alphabetical code. Wales will be UKL - very Orwellian

But didn't the Welsh people vote for the assembly in a referendum?

Well, yes there was a referendum in September 1997. However, only 25.2% of the electorate voted in favour of the Assembly due to a low turn out of just 50%. If you opposed the Assembly then but didn't vote in the referendum, you may now regret not having done so. It is no coincidence that Wales and Scotland were chosen first for regionalisation. Both have strong nationalist parties which advocated a break from Westminster rule. It is a sad reflection on both Wales and Scotland that most of those voting in favour of regionalisation did so simply because of anti-English sentiment. It is also no coincidence that the London Assembly is on the banks of the River Thames directly opposite Traitor's Gate!

So why do you contest seats in an institution which you oppose?

Since its birth in 1993, the United Kingdom Independence Party has fought European 'parliament' elections. Our 10 MEPs have gained valuable knowledge of the machinations of the E.U. and enable us to fight from the inside. Their very presence, along with anti-E.U. MEPs from other countries surely tells the E.U. that it doesn't enjoy the global support among the people of Europe as it would like to think. Seats in the Welsh Assembly would enable UKIP AMs to achieve the same progress.

What do you propose as an alternative.

Our alternative to the National Assembly would be a 'Welsh National Council'. The council would be representative of, and not be a burden on, the Welsh taxpayer. Further details can be found in the UKIP Wales 2007 Election Manifesto.