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.

SCME407 Ymateb gan: | Response from: Individual
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I wish to object to the Senedd Election Bill in the strongest possible terms.  My objection is based on the following:

1.  There is no mandate from the people of Wales.  This bill is being sneaked in by a narrow coalition of vested interests. The proposal is therefore undemocratic. 

2.  There is no evidence that 36 additional politicians or changes to voting systems will deliver any improvement.

3.  The publicity and explanatory material  has been completely inadequate. Major constitutional change requires full explanation of the impact of the proposals, including the pros and the cons. This should not be contemplated until there has been leaders debate, party political broadcasts, TV or radio documentaries, experts to provide independent analysis. 

4.  The cost of expansion is completely unaffordable given the projected budget deficits.  The benefits are entirely speculative.  Spending money in this way is therefore profligate.  

5.  The Senedd must learn the lesson from the disastrous implementation of the 20 mph speed limit.  Introducing legislation for which there is no mandate is hugely damaging for democracy in Wales.  A repeat of the 20 mph debacle would do further long term damage to the Senedd as an institution from which it may never recover.