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INTRODUCTION
This submission is limited to three broad
issues - the power of the Assembly, Its effectiveness,
and the electoral arrangements.
POWERS OF THE ASSEMBLY
Over the last few years we have begun
to see policy changes implemented by the Assembly. This
has culminated in an approach enshrined by the term
a "Welsh Way". This has had an impact the area of public
sector reform. This has included, for example, the creation
of Local Health Boards, a new focus upon primary care,
the promotion of a distinct educational agendas and
the introduction of the Wales Programme of Improvement.
These and other measures which amount to significant
policy variation from Westminster.
We recognise that the distinct Welsh
Agenda has been developed by the Assembly with its current
legislative powers. These policies need to be further
developed and fully implemented. This does not require
the accession of any additional powers.
There are often comparisons made between
the different powers of the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish
Parliament. The latter has primary legislative powers
and specific tax raising powers. We note that the Scottish
Parliament has not used its tax raising powers.
We also note that the existing National
Assembly has only existed for four years. It was established
with the support of only twenty five percent of the
Welsh Population in a referendum. This referendum resulted
in significant constitutional changes despite the low
turnout... It is our view that if the Commission were
to recommend an extension of powers, particularly in
the realms of primary legislation, then a new referendum
would need to be held, to assess whether there was support
for such a radical change.
EFFECTIVENESS
As indicated above, the Assembly has
developed a distinct Welsh agenda in a large number
of areas. In addition to major policy developments there
have been a number of populist initiatives including
free bus passes for pensioners and more latterly the
Manifesto commitment to provide school breakfasts for
young children.
It is our view that these new policies
and initiatives need to "bed in" and prove their effectiveness.
We are for example aware that despite new initiatives
in the National Health Service which have been accompanied
by significant additional expenditure, the impact on
the health of the Welsh population is not yet evident.
The National Assembly is a democratically
elected body. However it still works through a whole
range of non-elected qango's. We are concerned that
the National Assembly should be seen to ensure that
the democratic deficit in the control and powers exercised
by these bodies is remedied.
Overall, the policy initiatives have
been limited to a small number of departments. There
has not been a cohesive programme for change which is
integrative and tackles all the major issues confronting
the people of Wales.
ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS
The current electoral arrangements, provide
for the direct election, on the "first past the post
system, for "constituency AM’s" as well as AM’s
elected via the regional list system.
Anecdotal evidence from the last Assembly
elections, seem to show quite a considerable number
of spoilt papers. This may be an indication of the strong
feelings of individuals regarding the existence of the
National Assembly. More importantly, however, there
was also evidence, from discussions with individuals,
that the regional list voting paper was seen as extremely
complex and difficult for individuals to understand.
We also have a more fundamental problem
with the regional list system. It does not provide a
direct relationship between the AM and a constituency.
It is a system which does not provide a direct link
between the electors and the person elected to work
on their behalf. Power without direct accountability?
We therefore would not support the continuation
of the regional list system for elections to the National
Assembly.
We also consider that 60 people are more
than adequate, with the existing Assembly powers and
remit, to achieve the visions set by the National Assembly.
We consider that in the current climate it would be
counter productive to seek to increase the number of
AM’s. A more constructive debate would be on the
policies and action developed by those individuals through
the Assembly.
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