, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Can I firstly say that the Welsh Government's plans for Senedd reform are in fact the Senedd's plans for reform? As I've explained in scrutiny sessions, and also in this Chamber on many occasions, this is not a Government Bill. It would be inappropriate for…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Can I first of all say I probably don't want to start a commentary on evidence that is coming through the inquiry that will be pursued, and when there will be other evidence that is coming through? But can I say, just in the nature of the examination of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
We've been clear that the current constitutional settlement is in need of reform. The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales is developing options for fundamental reform of the constitutional structures of the United Kingdom. We look…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Well, can I say that one of the most important recommendations and areas of the devolution of justice that we are spending a considerable amount of work on is in relation to the tribunals, which are part of the justice system that are also with us? And, of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Well, first of all, can I thank you for the reference to Hillsborough? I attended the Hillsborough event along with, actually, a number of other campaign groups—those for veterans who had been exposed to nuclear testing and, indeed, others. And, of course…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for your question. We have a number of ongoing projects to build our understanding of the practical next steps towards the devolution of the justice functions we believe have a good chance of being taken forward by a future UK Government.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Chair, if I can just say, I think this scrutiny is extremely important in legislation like this and I'll do all I can to facilitate your work.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
I'm tempted to say 'don't know where, don't know when', but I'm sure we will.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, I'll go straight to the horse's mouth on that.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Yes, and of course I've been asked about it as well. It is a perfectly valid issue, and I think it's a very topical one in terms of accountability of individual Members, and so on. It is not within this Bill, it was not one of the recommendations to be…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, it has to be within a framework, but what I'd say is I think this is an area for further consideration. I have no difficulty whatsoever with these issues around residency being considered by the committee, and if there are practical suggestions, and so…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
If, at the time a vacancy occurs, they were on the register, they would be entitled to do that. If they weren't, then they wouldn't, and it would move, as I said, to the next person on the list. I think people take decisions in terms of their experiences, if…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
If at the time the vacancy occurs they are qualified to stand or to be a candidate et cetera, and they are on the electoral register, then that is fine. If they have chosen to move, in the knowledge, of course, that if they cease to be on that electoral…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, I think you've got to look at the likelihood of what may happen, but also that the system does operate in a particular way where you put forward a list of candidates. So, the current requirement would be a list of eight candidates for six places. I'm…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
I look forward to the postman delivering it, Chair.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Chair, any things that we aren't able to achieve, I'm more than happy to answer in detail those additional elements, and so on.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, I think it's a question as to where do you draw the threshold. And you're right to raise the issue as to whether you think that threshold is right or not. The threshold as it stands I think is one that is reasonable. Now, that will be a matter for…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, I think the argument that will take place on the consideration of this is: is 12 per cent a reasonable baseline in terms of support for a person to be here and to be in this Senedd and to be deciding the laws of Wales? I take the view that having a…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
—whether you're—
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
—or whether you're—
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
I'm not sure whether it makes a difference whether you're voting for an individual—
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, I think we're following the example the UK Government gave. When the UK Government changed the electoral system for the mayors, which was considered to be partisan at that time, there was no referendum whatsoever. There was not even a consideration of…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
No, what you have is a general commitment in terms of reform that you want to make and how those changes—
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, I think we just follow the example of UK Government, really, on the basis that changes to the number of constituencies, the reduction of Welsh MPs, wasn't something that went to referendum; changes to the electoral system of mayoral candidates, which…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
I'd be very surprised if, after the 2026 election, when the review takes place, we didn't look at a number of those factors. You look at things like turnout, you look at engagement, you look at issues in terms of divergence in elections, electoral systems…
