(Title Image: via Senedd TV)
- Conservatives amongst MSs who reject Senedd Committee on Electoral Reform report.
- MSs accept it may be difficult to deliver due to a requirement for a supermajority in favour.
- Minister says the government’s formal response is due shortly; the earliest point by which reforms can be introduced in practice is 2026.
Extra Senedd members “an investment in democracy”
Chair of the Committee on Electoral Reform, Dawn Bowden MS (Lab, Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney), ran through the report’s recommendations and while there was a cost attached, it should be considered “an investment in democracy”:
The Committee’s report presents a road map for the Sixth Senedd to follow, but there was a need to be realistic and to accept that there are differing party political views as well as a lot more work needed to ensure the views of a more diverse range of people help decision-making.
Sian Gwenllian MS (Plaid, Arfon) expressed disappointment that work on this has been consistently delayed and it’ll now be at least another five years under the current electoral system. There remained a window of opportunity in the current term to make some changes at local government level in the new Bill which could eventually be replicated in the Senedd.
Huw Irranca-Davies MS (Lab, Ogmore) called for parties to start work now on developing policies to help people from under-represented groups stand for election. The elephant in the room was the requirement for a two-thirds majority in favour (the Conservatives are currently opposed to any reforms), which presents “a mountain to climb”.
In the interests of balance, not everyone relished the prospect of extra members and there were calls for a referendum on direct-rule. Questions were raised as to whether MSs were as overworked as it’s said they are and calls for another rethink of the size and number of committees.
Government response due shortly
Local Government & Housing Minister, Julie James (Lab, Swansea West) pointed to some of the reforms that have already been introduced, such as lowering the voting age for Senedd elections and the recent announcement of a pilot access to elected office fund for disabled candidates.
The idea of a bigger Senedd isn’t new and has been recommended in previous reports. Whilst not giving anything away, the Welsh Government’s response to the report is just weeks away.
“I do intend to publish the Welsh Government’s formal response to the Committee’s recommendations in the coming weeks….It is, of course…. at times of crisis when we see most acutely the need for a strong and representative Parliament for our nation.”
– Local Government & Housing Minister, Julie James
Motions noting committee reports are usually waved through, but there was a vote. For clarity, David Rowlands MS (BXP, South Wales East) voted in favour. While there’s a near two-thirds majority in favour now, things may well change when concrete proposals are put forward – depending on the outcome of next year’s election.
