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.

SCME47 Ymateb gan:  | Response from: Michael Hooton
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Dear Senedd,

As a Resident in Wales since 2009, I would first ask what possible justification is there for increasing the number of members from 60 to 96 – an increase of 60%?

This smacks of more seats on the gravy train, at the public expense.

I imagine that there will also have to be additions to the Senedd building to accommodate 60% more members and their entourages – more expense.

More frequent elections – more expense.

The proposal to change the electoral system so that all members of the Senedd are elected by proportional representation will result in poorer representation for citizens. Currently we have a constituency member who is accountable to the residents in that constituency, and is therefore expected by the constituents to have a detailed knowledge of the issues concerning that area – and if he/she does not, then they will generally not be re-elected.

The constituency system needs to remain to give proper accountability and accurate representation.

At a time when the current Welsh government is drastically over-spent, and having to make cuts in essential services, when the NHS in Wales is offering a desperately poor service even compared to England in terms of waiting times and clinical outcomes, to propose wasting money on these completely unnecessary reforms is madness.

Can the Welsh government point to any area of life in Wales that has been improved since the devolved government came into being?

And as to this 'consultation' – why is it not properly conducted to ensure that as wide a range of opinions as possible is collected, rather than those who have internet access and the time and ability to compose letters?

All in all, I am AGAINST these proposals.

Yours faithfully,

Michael Hooton