image source, Senedd Shimru
- author, Semlyn Jones
- role, BBC Wales Political Correspondent
He said increasing the number of Senedd members was a “full stop” that would ensure devolution in Wales for the next 100 years.
Erin Jones said the reforms, supported by a cross-party majority of the MS but opposed by the Conservatives, made the Senedd a “fit for purpose” parliament even if Wales became independent.
Speaking on the BBC Walescast podcast, Mr Jones said the vote, which coincided with the 25th anniversary of Cardiff Bay’s first election, was “hugely important and a long time coming”.
“This will probably correct the mistake of 1999, when there were too few members in the first parliament.
“There were supposed to be more members at the time, so we had to wait to develop the discussion and correct the mistake.
“And now, in the same week that we finally celebrate our 25th anniversary as a parliament, we are taking the next step, the next step, to make this parliament fit for purpose for the next 25 years. ” 100 years. “
He added: “I don’t think there needs to be any major changes to the number of people elected to this Congress.
“Even if the parliament becomes an independent Welsh parliament, or even if it becomes a parliament with far greater powers than it has today.”
Rhys Abu Owen was suspended from the Senedd for six weeks in March after an investigation found he inappropriately touched and swore at two women while intoxicated during a night out in June 2021. It’s been banned.
Abu Owen said in a statement at the time that his actions “fell short of the standards that the public expects from members of the Senedd Party and for that I unreservedly apologize.”
In response, Mr Jones told WalesCast that the complaints against Mr Abu Owen were taken seriously but whether the system could be improved was a “right question to ask”.
“The Senedd dealt with it.
“Whether that was dealt with as quickly and appropriately as it should have been is something that our standards committee will now have to reflect on,” she said.
“I’m not saying everything is perfect.
“I think we need to think about how we have looked at this in the past and whether we need to make any changes.
“And we’re totally open to doing that and making things better.”
