Senedd abolitionists deserve to be heard
OPINION polls tell us that between a quarter and a fifth of Wales’ voting public would like to see the Senedd scrapped.
That may be a minority, but it’s a not insignificant one. In fact, it’s roughly the same proportion as those who would like Wales to become independent.
Yet while independence-backing Plaid Cymru has nine Members of the Senedd, and is a major player in Welsh politics, those who want the body to be scrapped are in danger of having no representation at all after next May’s election.
There are two reasons for that. While some voters would like to see the back of the Senedd, they are not so obsessed with the issue as to be prepared to vote for a party standing on that single issue.
Secondly, it seems very likely that the anti-Senedd vote will be split between three parties. In an electoral system where voters are not able to list parties in order of preference, that inevitably decreases the chances of any candidates standing on the “abolish” platform from winning any seats in the next Senedd.
For some, this will be a cause for rejoicing. We cannot share that view.
As a newspaper, we have supported devolution since before it was a reality. We backed the Yes for Wales campaign in the 1997 referendum which led to the establishment of the National Assembly and at the subsequent referendum in 2011 which led to the Assembly accruing primary law-making powers. While we frequently air concerns about specific policies of the Welsh Government, we do not swerve from our belief that Wales deserves to have its own Senedd.
Having said that, we accept there are those who disagree and wish the Senedd did not exist. It’s their right to argue such a case before the electorate. With more than 20% of those surveyed wanting the Senedd abolished, it seems reasonable that their view should be represented.
When seven Ukip Assembly Members were elected in 2016 – a higher figure than the Liberal Democrats ever managed to achieve – there was concern they would use their position to push a purely racist agenda. While there have been distasteful moments, that hasn’t been the case in general. And some constructive contributions have been made.
At a time when there is concern about the division between politicians and the public, it would be sad if a significant minority lost their representation.