Cyflwynwyd yr ymateb hwn i ymgynghoriad y Pwyllgor Biliau Diwygio ar Fil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau).

This response was submitted to the Reform Bill Committee consultation on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill.

SCME380 Ymateb gan: | Response from: Gareth Morgan
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Dear Senedd Reform,

I would like to inform you that I oppose the Reform Bill.

My first objection is, at the present time where there are so many people and services suffering in Wales, budgets being cut, services being reduced - there is no justifiable reason how this expense can be taken seriously!! The Welsh budget is extremely unhealthy right now and all money should be spent on the Welsh population and not on increasing the population of the Senedd!! Apart from the initial set-up costs, there is the continued costs of extra salaries to the additional members, which is money that needs to be put back into services within Wales. I watched the Reform Bill Committee session (26/10/23) which only reinforced my views on opposing the Bill - prospective costs which had more than doubled since first considered and still uncertain! So many questions which couldn't be answered! There is definitely serious mismanagement of public funds for this to go ahead.

My second objection is for the new proposed D'Hondt voting system. When I vote, I want my vote to be placed upon an individual who can be accountable for not abiding for their constituents wishes. This proposed voting system removes this pledge which I strongly disagree with. When I place my vote, I most certainly don't want it decided in a closed system where I don't know who it is being given to!! This new proposed voting system takes away transparency in a world where more transparency is needed. It's shocking and shameful on any party or individual who supports it. What on earth is happening to democracy in Wales?!!  

I sincerely hope my views will be taken into account.

Regards,

Gareth Morgan