THE newest political party in Newport is planning on running up to 15 candidates in next month’s local authority election.

The newly-formed Newport Independent Party, also known as Plaid Annibynol Casnewydd, was officially registered by the Electoral Commission earlier this month.

Leader and current ward member for Bettws Cllr Kevin Whitehead said: “We have been astonished by the positive reception the party has already gained from people on the streets.

“Many of our candidates and members have already started reaching out to their wards and there is a definite appetite for change from the stale national party politics that people have had to endure for so long.

“We are also noticing a real swell of support on social media.”

This year’s council election takes place on Thursday, May 4.