Wales: Campaigners criticise decision to drop ‘essential’ Assembly reforms

• For immediate release, 11th June 2019. Statement from Electoral Reform Society Cymru. Contact mediaoffice@electoral-reform.org.uk for more information/comment. 

Commenting on the Welsh Assembly Commission’s decision not to legislate on ‘stage two’ of key Assembly reform proposals [1] – which would have increased the size of the Assembly and allowed a change in the voting system – Jess Blair, Director of ERS Cymru said:

“The decision not to take forward planned reforms to the assembly is a deeply disappointing one that could hold us back from creating a parliament that delivers more effectively for the people of Wales.

“The current over-stretched Senedd is not fit for purpose. 60 members is not sufficient for a law making parliament 20 years into devolution. This is recognised by the majority of Assembly Members currently sitting in the Senedd.

“Members and political parties now need to put their heads above the parapet and ensure that plans for a larger assembly don’t end here. With only two years until an assembly election parties must consider how they include these proposals as part of their manifestos which can be put to the public in May 2021.

“Achieving real change often requires making difficult decisions. It is not easy advocating for more politicians, but our institutions have a duty to be the best they can be to deliver policy and legislation that can improve the lives of people living in this country. To do this we need more members”.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

[1] See here: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/am-assembly-senedd-politics-wales-16409122

Stage One of the reforms – which are being enacted – including changing the name of the Assembly and introducing votes at 16/17: https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/latest-news-and-research/media-centre/press-releases/votes-at-16-and-assembly-name-change-reforms-should-be-just-the-start/