, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
Dr Larner, you’d agree with that view? Okay, thank you for that. Can I just turn, if I may, to this issue of vacancies that might arise? So, obviously, at the moment, if a regional Member of the Senedd passes away, or for whatever reason decides to step down…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
Because it could be widely interpreted, and how you define healthy democracy, et cetera.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
So, the extent to which the elements of a healthy democracy are present in Wales—that’s the provision, isn’t it?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
Professor Clark, sorry. It’s difficult when you’re not in the room.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
What do you think?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
Yes. I just wanted to touch on this whole area of the review of the provisions in the Bill, if I can. So, obviously, everyone would want to have a look at how the new system functions once it's been introduced, to make sure that it's working. But it is—or…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
Okay. Thank you.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
What about you?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
I know it's like a Mastermind question, but is it a big number or very small number? [Laughter.]
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
And just one other question. How many electoral systems use D'Hondt in the world? Are there many?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
And, can I just also ask, Chair, if I can—?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
I get you. I get you. But you're not aware of any other Parliament that has such a high bar for smaller parties to get over, or individuals to get over, in order to get elected in a proportional system.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
So, explain that to me. In Germany, there are statutory thresholds. So, for example, could the Senedd, if it wanted to, set a threshold that said, 'Look, any party that gets over 7 per cent of the vote in the new constituencies should have at least one of…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
Can I just ask, in terms of an electoral threshold of 12 per cent, are there any other Parliaments in the world with that high a threshold if they've got a proportional system?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
I agree that some of that is already happening now in our current system and arrangements, but this huge load of casework that comes to constituency MSs is a concern. That is one of the reasons why, of course, everybody is trying to seek some sort of equal…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
Yes. I just wanted to ask, actually, in this whole area of voter choice, to both of the panellists today, obviously voter choice is exercised at elections, and in this case it's going to be a choice, if the Government's Bill proceeds, just to choose a…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Conflict in Israel and Gaza
And Israel, as is the case for any sovereign state, has the right to defend itself and its citizens in the face of such barbarity, and that is why Israel has set out on this mission to dismantle Hamas in a bid to prevent similar attacks in the future. But…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Conflict in Israel and Gaza
Diolch, Llywydd. As a follower of Jesus, I've been blessed to visit Israel and Palestine on many occasions. The Holy Land is a remarkable and beautiful place, and I still get a thrill every single time I visit the Nativity Church in Bethlehem and the Church…
, Plenary
Debate: Remembrance
First of all, amen to those last few words. We all want a peaceful world, and want to be agents of peace in it. I stand to pay my tribute to those who have fallen and those who have been injured and all those who have paid a price in the conflicts that these…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Trefnydd, can I call on a statement from an appropriate Welsh Government Minister on the feasibility of the establishment of a national observatory for Wales? You'll know that this is something I've taken an interest in in recent years, and I'm particularly…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
First Minister, there have been two alarming reports in recent days about delays in treatment that have led to significant patient harm in north Wales. The first was brought to the attention of us all by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, who…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
7. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve access to treatment for patients in North Wales? OQ60209
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with parliamentary academics
Okay, thank you.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with parliamentary academics
So, the more Members you have, the more Members' time you have, but that's got to be traded off against the costs and being able to persuade the public of the need for change. You've obviously done work and research looking at other Parliaments and…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with parliamentary academics
So, 96 Members is the proposal in the legislation before us. The expert panel recommended a range of between 80 and 90, which is obviously different. What's your view on whether this is the right number or not?
