The Richards Commission
Caradog House
1-6 St Andrews Place
Cardiff
CF10 3BE |
| On behalf of the Bargoed and
Gilfach Ward Labour Party I would like to make the following
submissions for the consideration of the commission. |
| I would suggest that there are
two issues that need to be addressed viz. |
The Powers invested in The Welsh Assembly Government,
and the method of election.
|
| Both need to be scrutinised and
rigorously audited for performance and achievement before
expansion can be contemplated. The branch therefore
feels that there is no case at the present for expansion
of powers including that of a self-financing tax system
on the people of Wales. The £12 billion annual budget
for governing Wales must be seen to be working in everyones
best interest and expansion only contempleted by future
Assembly Governments. |
| The Assembly is a new method
and institution of government, and is as yet unproven
in the efficiencies under which they undertake their duties
and responsibilities, and the branch can seen no reason,
why they should be extended during this term of its governance.
There are, however two spheres that they could consider
taking under their authority and they are the important
strategic role of the emergency services, and similarly
broadcasting particularly Welsh Language broadcasting
in the shape of S4C. |
| S4C, set up primarily to promote
the Welsh Language, and with an annual budget of approximately
£100 million p.a. cannot attract any degree of viewers
comensurate with its budget. It is reported that
barely 5% of the population watch its highest ratings
programme. This is a manifest failure, and it could
well be that the money would be best spent in otherways
to promote the Welsh Language. Nor has the Assembly
Government been able to halt the decline of the Welsh
Language particularly in its heartlands. It could
well be that these issues relating to the language should
be determined in Wales within the Assembley's remit. |
| The draft Public Audit (Wales),
Bill currently going through the UK parliament will have
an important role to play in achieving the government's
aims for best value on these issues. |
| There is a low turn out at election
for the Assembly Government, and this might well be because
of the 'list system', which is supposed to be a form of
proportional representation, but is neither proportional,
not representative. |
| It is not proportional because
however the lists are calculated it is possible, and almost
happened in Caerphilly that the Conservative who almost
lost her deposit is now a list member on the strength
of votes cast miles from where she decided to stand.
Is that any form of democracy? Nor can it be deemed
to be proportional when list seats have no bearing on
total votes cast. How can an electorate be expected
to turn out to support something that is manifestly unfair
and unequal? |
| Electoral decisions must be seen
to be validated by the number of seats won on the strength
of the votes cast. In effect people must be represented
by the votes cast for the candidates and if the 'list
system ' is to be retained, by the parties of their choice. |
| 'List Members' are paid exactly
the same and have the same allowances as first past the
post Constituency members, but have no constituency responsibility.
It could well be that allowances for constituency work
for 'list members' are purely for administrative purposes.
Perhaps this function could be performed by a central
administration for 'list members' |
| What we have now is unfair and
the electorate may well have reservations about the whole
system. Whatever system is ultimately chosen there
must be a clear defined link with constituencies and electorate. |
| I would respectfully ask that
you acknowledge these submissions of the branch. |
