Plasnewydd Branch Labour Party |
| Richard Commission Caradog House 1-6 Saint Andrew's Place Cardiff CF10 3BE |
| Dear Madam/Sir | |
| ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE National Assembly of Wales | |
| The Branch met for a discussion on this issue on 24 June, and was hoping to contribute to the Labour Party's own consultation process on this issue. Given the time limitations, we have decided to submit our comments direct to yourselves for consideration, with a copy to the Labour Party Wales. | |
| In summary, the meeting felt that the powers that the Welsh Assembly holds are not clear. | |
| The meeting felt that the Assembly had benefited from having flexible powers, but that to date with the only main difference being the restructuring of the Health Service, that there had yet to be meaningful change. | |
| The meeting felt that the public was yet to be convinced that an extension of powers was needed, but the majority view of the meeting was that this was something that ought to be worked towards. | |
| Members expressed frustration with the current electoral system for the Assembly. They felt that the election results did not give a fair reflection of the majority view(s) in Wales, and that the current PR system disenfranchised, as many if not, more voters in that a second vote for Labour voters counted for nothing, and gives disproportionate influence to other parties. | |
| Some members spoke in favour of the abolition of the list system, to revert to a directly elected assembly of either 40 or 80 members. Others wondered if a better form of PR could be found, | |
| The Branch would like to be kept informed of the dates of the hearings and reports of the Consultation process. | |
| Yours sincerely | |
| Nick Howitt Plasnewydd Branch Secretary |
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| Cc Labour Party Wales | |
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