Wessex Regionalists facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wessex Regionalists
Leader	Jim Gunter
Founded	1974
Headquarters	121 Worthing Road Patchway Bristol
Membership (2021)	21
Ideology	Wessex regionalism Agrarianism
Colours	Sea green, red and gold
Politics of England

The Wessex Regionalists are a small political party in England. They want more local control, or "home rule," for a part of southern England called Wessex. This area is named after an old Anglo-Saxon kingdom.

The party has run candidates in a few elections in the Wessex area since 1974. However, they have not yet won any seats in the UK Parliament.

History of the Wessex Regionalists

The idea for a Wessex identity started in 1969. Viscount Weymouth suggested using Wessex to help with tourism. He later felt that Wessex was not given the same chances as Scotland or Wales to have its own government.

Lord Weymouth became the first Wessex Regionalist candidate. He ran in the February 1974 United Kingdom general election in Westbury. He came last with 521 votes.

The party officially started in 1981. At first, they defined Wessex using the ideas of writer Thomas Hardy. This included counties like Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset, and Devon. Later, they added Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire to their definition.

In 1987, the party decided not to run in the general election. Instead, they asked their supporters to vote for the Liberal/SDP Alliance. They felt this group was most supportive of regional government.

Lord Weymouth was the first president of the party. He later joined the Liberal Democrats. Other presidents have included John Banks and Colin Bex. In 2013, a local council member named David C Fox switched to the Wessex Regionalists for a short time.

In 2017, the party leader, Jim Gunter, suggested a second vote on leaving the European Union. He also talked about a "Norway option" to stay in the single market.

What the Party Believes In (Ideology)

The area the Wessex Regionalists call Wessex.

The Wessex Regionalists want to create a local assembly for the Wessex region. This assembly would make decisions for the area. They believe this assembly would take power from the main UK Parliament in Westminster. It would not take power from local councils.

The party defines Wessex as including Berkshire, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Oxfordshire, Somerset, and Wiltshire. They do not include Cornwall. They say Cornwall has its own unique identity and its own political party, Mebyon Kernow.

The party believes Wessex has its own special culture. They want to protect and promote this culture. This includes things like morris dancing, cider, and the works of local writers.

How They Do in Elections (Electoral Performance)

The Wessex Regionalists have run candidates in many elections. Here's a look at how they have performed.

Westminster elections

European Parliament elections