, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
All power lies with the Senedd, but it does make sure that the motion is tabled and that it is there on the agenda and the Members will have ownership of where it goes from there.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, I think it's a question of judgment, isn't it? Bearing in mind that we're moving to four-year terms as well, so you're looking at 2030, it is a process that needs to happen relatively early on. To what extent it concludes the review or is capable of…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, I think because it makes sure that it does happen and it does happen early. And I think that's really—. In my view, that's effectively what it does do: it ensures that it is there and that it will happen and it will happen early on and that it will…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Yes, well, look, I think the important point about the reviews and the reason why it is framed in a particular way—the six-month and 12-month et cetera—is because I want to make sure that those things happen and they happen very early on. And, of course…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
If I may just add—on that, as well, I've attended a number of meetings directly, one only the other week with the Electoral Commission, the full Electoral Commission, where everyone is alert to this—I think everyone's supportive of the broader changes, but—in…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, I think the one lead body will, actually, be the electoral management board that is being established—that will be the function. But also, there is, obviously, a very relevant interest and engagement with the Electoral Commission itself. Maybe, in terms…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, I presume all the people, the two thirds of the people, who voted in favour of the recommendations that went through the Senedd.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, that's your narrative. I think your narrative is wrong, because what I see across the board, firstly, is that the system contained within the legislation is considered to be a better system than is there at the moment. Where there is argument over it is…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
But—
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, firstly, that is not a choice for me to make. It's an issue to put to others that have been involved in that special purpose committee and so on.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
I'm not sure in practice that that is actually what happens. I've stood as a constituency candidate and been elected as a constituency candidate for three elections now, and I actually don't really recognise that situation occurring. I've seen very, very…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Do we know the threshold?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, firstly, overall, having a single system, which is the closed list system, for the whole of the electorate means that the whole of the Senedd will be far more representative of the number of votes cast. I think I'm probably taking that that's accepted…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, I'm not sure how solid those—
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
No, I'd already done that.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, what they end up with is a Senedd that is proportionally more representative of the votes that are cast.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
No, it means the onus is on the political parties to do that, but having that system enables them to ensure that the outcome is more likely to be balanced.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, because, by being able to select, say, six, for a party to be able to have up to six people elected, or a list that would be of eight people, it can guarantee within that the gender balance and the placement of people within that, to ensure that there…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Yes, certainly. Sorry, I'm trying to remember now what the last point you raised was.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
No, absolutely. Under the Government of Wales Act 2006, my job at that stage kicks in, and, as a law officer, I then have to give consideration to it as to whether or not it should be referred to the Supreme Court or not.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
No. My input into—. I mean, I'm involved generally in all the legal aspects in terms of legislation, but my input in terms of, for example, the gender quotas Bill kicks in, in terms of competence, once that legislation is passed. So, once the legislation…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, firstly, just in terms of the gender quotas Bill, that is another ministerial responsibility. So, any issues around that will be determined by that particular Minister.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, what I understand is that, in order for legislation to get through, it's necessary for it to have a two-thirds majority, otherwise nothing gets through. And part of that co-operation agreement was that this was something that would achieve a two-thirds…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
No.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, because the recommendation from the special purpose committee, which was passed with a two-thirds majority, is to go for the systems contained within the legislation.
