, Plenary
Group 9: Welsh language requirements for returning officers (Amendments 37, 38, 51)
The fundamental point here is that the Welsh language has official equal status in Wales in principle. That is certainly what the Government would have us believe. However, as standards have not been implemented, this official status hasn't extended in…
, Plenary
Group 9: Welsh language requirements for returning officers (Amendments 37, 38, 51)
Thank you, Llywydd. Amendments 37, 38 and 51 enable the Welsh Language Commissioner to give a compliance notice to returning officers and thereby making them open to compliance with Welsh language standards regulations in the future. Using primary legislation…
, Plenary
Group 8: Financial assistance scheme—operation (Amendments 35, 19)
Happy to move to a vote.
, Plenary
Group 8: Financial assistance scheme—operation (Amendments 35, 19)
Thank you. The purpose of this amendment is to ensure that there are specific provisions on expenses available for electoral candidates. In addition to some of the other amendments already introduced, these amendments will ensure that participation in our…
, Plenary
Group 7: Welsh elections information platform (Amendments 17, 18, 31, 1, 32, 33, 34)
I move.
, Plenary
Group 7: Welsh elections information platform (Amendments 17, 18, 31, 1, 32, 33, 34)
We do oppose amendments 17 and 18 because we strongly believe that creating this platform is an excellent opportunity to raise levels of democratic engagement and public awareness of how democracy works. In light of this, we have also introduced amendment 31…
, Plenary
Group 5: Assistance for voters with disabilities (Amendments 15, 30)
Move.
, Plenary
Group 5: Assistance for voters with disabilities (Amendments 15, 30)
May I thank Peter Fox for introducing amendment 15, which aims to deliver a similar aim to our own amendment in this group, namely to ensure that disability is not a barrier to the fundamental right to vote? We are very content to support this amendment. The…
, Plenary
Group 3: Welsh elections piloting powers and regulations (Amendments 9, 10, 11, 12)
We support amendment 9 to pilot an electoral cycle of four years for local elections, aligning it with the new Senedd electoral cycle. We also recognise the value of amendment 12 to create a duty to pilot in rural and urban areas, where appropriate, in order…
, Plenary
Group 2: Electoral registration (Amendments 7, 28, 8, 29)
Move.
, Plenary
Group 2: Electoral registration (Amendments 7, 28, 8, 29)
I move.
, Plenary
Group 2: Electoral registration (Amendments 7, 28, 8, 29)
I'd like to thank Peter Fox for his amendments in this group. As a party, we're very supportive of the measures in this Bill to introduce electoral registration without application, and we believe that this is an initial step that can increase electoral…
, Plenary
Group 1: Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru—functions (Amendments 26, 27, 36)
Move.
, Plenary
Group 1: Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru—functions (Amendments 26, 27, 36)
As you were so generous with my opening remarks, I don't want to keep us too long. Thank you for that considered response from the Counsel General. We are still of the view that there is merit in being specific on these other functions. I understand that…
, Plenary
Group 1: Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru—functions (Amendments 26, 27, 36)
I do have more to say on democratic health. The intention of amendment 27 is to ensure that the democracy commission encourages democratic innovation and it puts a framework in place as to how the commission should exercise its functions for the democratic…
, Plenary
Group 1: Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru—functions (Amendments 26, 27, 36)
As we are discussing a Bill that essentially has the aim of strengthening the foundations of parliamentary democracy and representative democracy, it's appropriate that the first group of amendments relates to the health of our democracy. Democracy in this…
, Plenary
Group 1: Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru—functions (Amendments 26, 27, 36)
The speech won't be that exciting, I can tell you that. I'd like to begin, Llywydd, by thanking the Counsel General and his officials and Members of other parties for the constructive and comprehensive work that's happened during the parliamentary journey of…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Wales and the next UK Government
Diolch, Llywydd. The Secretary of State for Wales—it reminds me of one of those sort of vestigial offices of the bygone past that we sometimes gawk at during great state events. It's so redundant that they might as well wear plumed hats or epaulettes. It's a…
, Plenary
Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal: A Community Energy Benefits bill
Unfortunately, in the years following that, we found out that the decisions weren't being made for the benefit of local people. So, public ownership is part of the solution, but that ownership also has to be rooted here in Wales. We have to have our own…
, Plenary
Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal: A Community Energy Benefits bill
'This mine is now managed on behalf of the people'—.
, Plenary
Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal: A Community Energy Benefits bill
I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to the debate. I would begin by saying this: I think that the Members who have spoken from the back benches have demonstrated the risks if we don't legislate. That is, there will be even more emphasis again just…
, Plenary
Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal: A Community Energy Benefits bill
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. It's a great pleasure to present this motion, which calls for legislation on renewable energy, and particularly with a focus on ensuring that local communities derive the greatest benefits—economically, socially and ecologically—from…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General
I’ve been avidly reading Labour Party manifestos over the last few days; it happens in election time, doesn’t it? One of the other commitments that is actually very germane to the point that the Counsel General has just made is a commitment with regard to the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General
Well, no, I was actually asking about the Hillsborough law. I actually was quoting directly from the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill that was passed on Second Reading in Westminster unopposed, supported by all parties, drafted by Andy Burnham. That is…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General
I think the Counsel General is having the debate that we will be having next week now, but I'll happily—
