| 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 |
| Cc Labour Party Wales |
|
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