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.

SCME135 Ymateb gan:  | Response from: David Maas
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I wish to object to the proposed increase in Senedd members. My reasons are:

1. Unnecessary - No objective case has been presented for the need for additional members other than the Senedd has had an increase in responsibilities since it was formed. SM’s are appointed to represent the interests of the Welsh Population and administration of functions covered by civil servants. The additional responsibility justification does not therefore conform the need for additional MS’s.

The Boundary Commission for Wales as recently as January 2923 recommended a reduction in the number of parliamentary constituencies from 40 to 32. This would imply political representation in Wales is already over served and increasing MS’s goes against democratic representation needs.

Democracy in Wales is already adequately represented at many levels - local government, Senedd and UK Parlimentary MP’s. 

2. Cost - the additional cost (c. £18m + £8m set up costs) does not represent good fiscal decision making given the need for expenditure in other priority areas such as health, education and transport. 

3. Over representation - Wales already has political representation nearly three times that of the UK average when Senedd members and Welsh MPs are taken into account. Given the priorities and urgent financial demands in other areas of public expenditure this is a luxury Wales cannot afford. 

David Maas