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…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Group 1: Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru: name of the Commission (Amendments 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 49, 50, 51, 115, 52)
Diolch, Llywydd. In making my opening comments at this Stage 3 debate today, I want to once again put on record my thanks to the Reform Bill Committee team for their support and work throughout the stages of this Bill so far, supporting Members—including…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Trefnydd, can I call for a statement on the Welsh Government's childcare offer? I've been contacted by a number of concerned constituents in my constituency of Clwyd West who are expressing with dismay the lack of support with childcare costs that they are…
30 April 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
One of the rare species in Wales that is affected by biodiversity loss, of course, is the red squirrel, and, as the red squirrel species champion, it would be improper of me not to take this opportunity to ask the new First Minister what action his Government…
24 April 2024 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Senedd Women's Caucus
Okay, thank you.
24 April 2024 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Senedd Women's Caucus
I was just going to say that, obviously, the Senedd has achieved 50:50 without the need for quotas, so I was just interested—[Interruption.] If you'll just let me finish, it was without the need for statutory quotas—that's the point I'm making. So, obviously…
24 April 2024 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Senedd Women's Caucus
I'm going to ask Janet to respond now, but before I do, obviously, Janet, our party hasn't done particularly well in terms of the diversity of the sexes on our benches over the years. You've obviously broken through the system, as it were, and managed to get…
24 April 2024 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Senedd Women's Caucus
Diolch, Sioned. Rhianon, you wanted to come in.
24 April 2024 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Senedd Women's Caucus
I know that Rhianon wants to come in, but if I can take Sioned first and then come back to you, Rhianon.
24 April 2024 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Senedd Women's Caucus
Thank you. In terms of legislative gender quotas—I appreciate there's a diversity of opinion, so feel free to let me know if you want to come in—do you think that the voluntary actions that have already been taken by political parties are sufficient? Your…
24 April 2024 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Senedd Women's Caucus
And can you just tell us, perhaps—? I don't know whether there is, but I'm assuming that there's diversity of opinion within the caucus on the provisions in the Bill. Or is there a caucus position on the Bill and its provisions?
24 April 2024 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Senedd Women's Caucus
So, it's about encouraging women to get involved in the life of the Senedd and to put themselves forward as candidates of the Senedd, and to assist women getting political positions within the Senedd, yes?
24 April 2024 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Senedd Women's Caucus
Thank you. I'll put this question to Joyce, if that's okay? Welcome to you all. Can you just tell us a little bit more about the role of the Senedd women's caucus and the sort of activities that you undertake?
24 April 2024 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Women's Rights Network
Okay. Thank you.
24 April 2024 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Women's Rights Network
No, I think—. Look, I'll be blunt with you. I don't think my party has done enough on the diversity agenda. It's taken some positive steps. We have some of the things in place that the Labour Party has, for example, but there are other things, probably, that…
