Member of the Senedd, Joel James MS has today voted against Labour Welsh Government proposals to increase the number of Senedd Members.
At a cost of £120 million, Welsh Government proposals to increase the number of Senedd Members from 60 to 96 were successfully passed with 43 members voting for it while 16 - the Conservatives - voted against it.
The bill will now go to the King for Royal Assent which is expected in June or July. It then becomes law which will pave the way for the changes to be introduced in time for the 2026 Senedd election.
The Bill creates vast changes from the current voting system. A new, 'closed list' voting system will be introduced, meaning that the public will vote for parties rather than individuals.
In addition, as a result of the Bill passing, Wales will be split into 16 large constituencies, instead of the current 40 and five regions, and each constituency will have six elected members.
Speaking after the vote, Joel James MS said:
It’s a sad day today for Welsh Democracy as the Welsh Parliament voted to increase its size from 60 to 96 and change its entire election system. The Welsh Government often complains that it has no money, but somehow they found £120,000,000 for this.
I’ve been dead against these proposals and I’m pretty sure the vast majority of the country is too. Saying that- I’ll soon be holding a series of ‘Devolution Forums’ on the subject of devolution throughout the region of South Wales Central.
Envisioned much like a ‘focus group’, I am keen to get the public’s thoughts on the current state of Welsh Devolution: whether or not you think it is working; whether or not the Welsh Parliament should have more powers or be abolished; and crucially, what alternatives are there to the current situation.
If you would like to take part and consent to be contacted, please do visit my website and sign up (https://www.joeljames.wales/campaigns/devolution-forum)
