Overstretched Senedd must grow to do its job
LAST week in the Assembly there was a debate about plans to increase the number of Assembly Members and to introduce a new electoral system based on proportional representation. I think the changes should be put to work immediately in time for the next Assembly Election in 2021.
As things stand, our national Senedd is being held back from fully realising its potential as a parliament for the people of Wales.
The Senedd urgently needs an increase in its number of AMs alongside an STV electoral system to ensure a strong Senedd that would be able to fully operate as an effective parliament.
The people of Arfon and Wales expect and deserve a parliament fit for purpose that fully reflects society in Wales.
I can verify through being an AM since May 2016 that our Senedd is too small and at breaking point. We need more elected members if the scrutiny we undertake is to be effective. At the moment, there are far too many demands on our time in the Senedd which means that we are not being successful when seeking full transparency and in our work of holding the Government to account.
Last month, the Llywydd confirmed that one party’s wish not to press ahead with much-needed reform before the next election would mean the earliest reform of the Senedd is 2026. However, Plaid Cymru maintains that reform by 2021 is still possible with the right political will.
Labour AMs seem to be backing the reform plans, but don’t want the changes until 2026. But why wait that long? If the changes are not done now the Senedd will continue to operate under capacity. It will be risking its ability to deliver for the people of Wales which, under the context of Brexit, could threaten Welsh democracy and devolution.
There’s no time to waste and in the context of Brexit, Welsh democracy and devolution are at risk. Westminster’s system may be broken but in Wales we have the ability to transform our politics, give power to the people and create a parliament that represents all of the voices of our country and works for its citizens.
If the political will is there, it is possible. Plaid Cymru is up for the task. The question is: is Labour?