, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session on the electoral and boundary reform experience in Scotland
So, are you happy with the arrangements in this Bill for the way that Ministers must, effectively, respect and implement and deliver the outcome of the reviews without that sort of interference that you've suggested has been happening in Scotland?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session on the electoral and boundary reform experience in Scotland
Too long. So, four years and renewable seems to work well, certainly for you guys in Scotland. And what about the relationship between—. You said—they were my words, I know—that you were leant on often by the political parties, trying to interfere…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session on the electoral and boundary reform experience in Scotland
I suppose there's always a risk as well that you'll lose all of the experience around the table if everybody is appointed on day 1, and sort of—
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session on the electoral and boundary reform experience in Scotland
So, an eight-year term would seem to be a reasonable approach as far as this new body is concerned.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session on the electoral and boundary reform experience in Scotland
And how about the length of term of office, and the churn, if you like, in terms of the appointments? Do you have any views on how that should be managed? Should it be a fixed term and then you finish, and never be allowed to sit on the commission again, or…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session on the electoral and boundary reform experience in Scotland
Okay. From outside, 'leaning on', as it were.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session on the electoral and boundary reform experience in Scotland
Yes, I understand. And what about any perception of political interference in the way that you work? So, for example, at the moment the Bill includes provisions to make sure that no Members of the Senedd can ever be members of the commission, quite rightly…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session on the electoral and boundary reform experience in Scotland
And can I ask you as well—
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session on the electoral and boundary reform experience in Scotland
But you're managing with fewer.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session on the electoral and boundary reform experience in Scotland
So, you think we could get away with having fewer than the up to seven that is currently on the face of this Bill.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session on the electoral and boundary reform experience in Scotland
Can I just ask about the governance arrangements for both organisations, if that's okay? So, as I understand it, you have a smaller number of commissioners that can be appointed to the commission in terms of its size in Scotland than is proposed in the…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
Because, Alberto, what you were suggesting was that parties might retreat, if you like, from certain areas, focus their attention in a smaller number of areas where they think they might get over the 12 per cent threshold. But that would really disenfranchise…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
Yes. So, I'm just saying, if it was 16 higher, then the threshold would be lower, wouldn't it, in order for people to get over?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
Just one follow-up question. So, as you know, my party's view is that we don't want an increase in the number of people elected into the Senedd, but do you think that the number of 96 is the right number? Because, if you added another 16, you'd get a much…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
Alberto.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
—rather than just set up another talking shop, perhaps, in 2026.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
So, you think that this would be better tackled by a committee in the current Senedd term, perhaps with not a view to legislating immediately, because of the timetable et cetera, but at least it would get the work on the road—
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
Okay, thank you. There are obviously other provisions in the Bill around the need to review job sharing arrangements. What are your views on the proposals in the Bill around that?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
Okay. Alberto.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
So, do you think that voters should be referenced on the face of the Bill—you know, that the views of voters must be considered by that committee as part of the review process?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
You both touched on this earlier, especially you, Jess. Obviously, it's wise to make sure that there's a review mechanism to see how any changes have bedded down and been received by the public and the impact that that might have had on turnout and all sorts…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
Can I turn to the review of provisions issue?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
And, of course, we've had parties fold after having people elected, as well.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
Thank you. Yes, thanks.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
And, Jess, just to come back on this issue of recall, obviously, there are things that Members of the Senedd can be disqualified from being a Member of the Senedd for, but there are other things that may be perceived as just as serious by the public that…
