Alice Hooker-Stroud stands down as Welsh Green leader.

As most regular readers of this Blog I an notionally a Plaid supporter  and share many of the aims of the party . particularly since Leanne Wood became leader.

But I resist the urge to become a Part member as  i feel that it would interfere with this Blogs Independence.

There are times (not many) when I disagree with the position of Plaid on a number of issues  and wish to be disagree without any threat  from Party officials  for me to tow the line

The fate of Syniadau  who was once one of the best Welsh Political Blog where he was disciplined by the party over the party's nuclear power fudge and the shooing in of Rhun ap Iorwerth is a salutatory one .

I don't think I am alone in missing his contribution  and plead with Mike to return to the blogasphere regularly.

I also make no secret that I also support the Green Party  and wish there was an equivalent to the Scottish Greens , which can provide a home for those with Progressive views who support Independence who sometimes feel that the SNP are in the wrong on some issues.

So I am disappointed to see  Alice Hooker-Stroud took the helm of the Welsh Greens 
party in December 2015 resigning  She will be replaced by deputy leader Grenville Ham.

Ms Hooker-Stroud said that the lack of funding for smaller parties in the UK meant it was "untenable" for her to carry on in the voluntary role.

She said: 

"Parties that have a lot of money can do a lot, and those who have a smaller amount can do less."

Ms Hooker-Stroud, who will step down from the job at the end of March, said that because the party does not take funds from large businesses means members have the "biggest say".

"But it has contributed to my role being effectively a voluntary one, which for me has sadly become untenable," she said.

"The financing of political parties in general needs urgent reform so that politicians aren't just the mouthpieces for big business, and so that alternative voices are heard."

There will be some who sneer at the Welsh Greens  seeing it not as independent as it still part of the Green Party of England and Wales.

But we have seven Ukip members in our Assembly who are probably financed  almost entirely from outside  Wales by a right wing millionaire and now have the influence and Assembly money to make themselves permanent structure.

Some will see the Welsh Greens as no more than hippy incomers but even that was totally the case would be preferable to home grown Unionist Bigots.

 I for one would like to see Welsh Green members in our Assembly rather Neil Hamilton's mob and hope they cn grow and form a Welsh Green identity.

The Scottish Greens are both an Ally and Thorn in the side of the SNP government. I hope in the future the Greens in Wales could provide a similar role to a Plaid Cymru government in a future Welsh Parliament.