30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
So, we have a party that supports first-past-the-post and it's always expressed its position—that that is the position of the Conservative Party. I've explained that to you in the past. We've not been arguing about first-past-the-post today; as it happens…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
And I would never regard your comments as a pantomime, and I'm disappointed that you regarded my comments as being pantomime-esque, as they were not; they were very serious. I think that the public deserve to have their opportunity to have their say on these…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
Well, I was disappointed to hear Heledd Fychan's remarks, suggesting that I was a person trying to undermine devolution in some way. I just explained to you earlier, Heledd, that I proudly stood on a platform back in 2011 to give more powers to this Senedd…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
Look, I've made it clear that if you gave clear commitments on your campaign trails, which you did not, about a closed list system, about 96 Members, about scrapping first-past-the-post, then I would have a great deal of sympathy with the arguments that you…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
It was a clear commitment to change. [Interruption.] It was a clear commitment given by the leadership of the party during the last election campaign. I'll happily take an intervention.
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
It was a clear commitment.
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
At least I read your manifesto. [Interruption.] At least I read your manifesto. Where's the STV?
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
It was a clear manifesto commitment.
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
This was a clear manifesto commitment. Would you like to make—?
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
Well, you'll have to—. If I don't follow your words, and I'm a person with a keen interest in politics, including what the First Minister was saying during the election campaign, how do you think a member of the public—? How do you think a member of the…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
So, when there are clear commitments in a manifesto, you have a mandate—[Interruption.] I've just demonstrated to you that you didn't make a clear commitment in your manifesto to take forward this particular package of changes. I can see the former First…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 11: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 37, 38)
Diolch, Llywydd. I move amendments 37 and 38, both of which have been tabled in my name, and, of course, we’ve reached Stage 3, towards the end of Stage 3, of the proceedings for this Bill, but we all know that an increase in the size of the Senedd and a…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 8: Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru: annual reports (Amendment 41)
Thank you, Llywydd, and thank you, Minister, for at least explaining your position on this particular amendment. Obviously, I'm disappointed. I think this is a straightforward amendment. I don't think it's controversial at all. And even if there were some…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 8: Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru: annual reports (Amendment 41)
Diolch, Llywydd. I rise to move amendment 41. If the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill is passed, then the renamed Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru will have a very important task of reviewing the boundaries of Senedd constituencies, alongside…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 6: Recall of Members of the Senedd (Amendments 40, 42)
Given that there is a consensus across the Chamber, given that there is a cross-party committee that's prepared to look at this with some urgency, I hope, with a bid to try and get something done this side of the next election, in the spirit of that, I'm very…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 6: Recall of Members of the Senedd (Amendments 40, 42)
Yes, very happy to.
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 6: Recall of Members of the Senedd (Amendments 40, 42)
Diolch, Llywydd. I'm very pleased to hear the consensus around the Chamber. I did see the exchange of correspondence between the First Minister and the leader of the opposition last week, and I know that assurances have been given that the Welsh Government…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 6: Recall of Members of the Senedd (Amendments 40, 42)
Diolch, Llywydd. I rise to move amendments 40 and 42, which have both been tabled in my name. These amendments seek to introduce a system of recall for future Members of the Senedd. A system of recall for Members is an important accountability mechanism that…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 4: Voting system at Senedd general elections and allocation of seats (Amendments 32, 33, 34, 39, 35, 36)
Move.
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 4: Voting system at Senedd general elections and allocation of seats (Amendments 32, 33, 34, 39, 35, 36)
Move.
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 4: Voting system at Senedd general elections and allocation of seats (Amendments 32, 33, 34, 39, 35, 36)
Well, it's the majority that you're accepting, frankly. I mean, I frankly think you should've driven a harder bargain from your Labour masters in order to get the package of reforms through that was actually going to deliver the sort of direct accountability…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 4: Voting system at Senedd general elections and allocation of seats (Amendments 32, 33, 34, 39, 35, 36)
Diolch, Llywydd. Obviously, I'm disappointed to hear the responses. Everybody in this Chamber knows that a flexible list system is a better option than a closed list system. I'm still yet to hear a reason why the Government thinks that a closed list system is…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 4: Voting system at Senedd general elections and allocation of seats (Amendments 32, 33, 34, 39, 35, 36)
Now, I'm genuinely open to hearing anybody in this Senedd make a compelling argument that the electoral system currently proposed by the Bill will make Senedd Members more accountable to their constituents than the current arrangements, because I can't think…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 4: Voting system at Senedd general elections and allocation of seats (Amendments 32, 33, 34, 39, 35, 36)
Diolch, Llywydd. I rise to move amendments 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 39, all of which have been tabled in my name. These amendments seek to change the voting system proposed by the Bill from a closed list voting system to a flexible list voting system. Llywydd…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 3: Disqualification from being a Member of the Senedd or a candidate: persons convicted of the offence of deception within the previous four years (Amendment 43)
Can I thank Adam Price for tabling this amendment today and for listening to the feedback from Senedd Members in the debate at Stage 2 on a similar amendment? He agreed, of course, to withdraw that amendment and have some cross-party discussions, which I've…
