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.

SCME412 Ymateb gan: | Response from: Mark Waters
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I wish to register my objection to the plans to expand the Senedd to 96 members.

My main objection is that the cost is unacceptable at a time when the First Minister himself is bemoaning the lack of funds for the country.

It has been estimated that the expansion will cost as much as £18m per year, this at a time when the Welsh NHS is underfunded and struggling, and amenities such as leisure centres are being forced to close.

Further, I cannot see any justification for the Senedd to consist of so many representatives. At present, there is a ration of approximately 50,000 people in Wales for every MS.
This compares to around 100,000 to every MP in the House of Commons. Do the Senedd think they are twice as important as the UK parliament?

My view is that this issue should be put to the people of Wales in a referendum, or preferably just scrapped. It is unneccessary and I believe unwanted.

From:

Mark Waters