FORMER Cardiff South and Penarth election hopeful and UKIP leadership candidate John Rees-Evans has quit the party to join new political movement, Affinity UK.

Mr Rees-Evans, who finished third at the 2015 general election, has taken part in two UKIP leadership campaigns – coming third in 2016 and fourth just last month, before making the unexpected switch earlier this week.

According to Affinity UK's Facebook page, they intend to replace the representative democracy of parliament with a more direct system.

Mr Rees-Evans said: "I would absolutely love for UKIP to embrace direct democracy, and would welcome a future convergence, but I am convinced beyond any question that Affinity is the most powerful weapon in the world to deliver direct democracy."

Mr Rees-Evans will take up the role of 'spokesman for liberty' within the group.