Oral Answers to Questions

James Davies Excerpts

Wednesday 25th May 2022 Commons Chamber

[Dr James Davies (Vale of Clwyd) (Con)]

9. What discussions his Department has had with the Welsh Government on the potential effect on the levelling-up agenda of proposals to increase the size of the Senedd.

[Danny Kruger (Devizes) (Con)]

13. What discussions his Department has had with the Welsh Government on the potential effect on the levelling-up agenda of proposals to increase the size of the Senedd.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Simon Hart)]

I have had no discussions with the Welsh Government on the proposals.

[Dr Davies]

What assessment has my right hon. Friend made of the proposed changes to the voting system at Cardiff Bay and the potential impact on democratic representation?

[Simon Hart]

It is mystifying that this proposal was announced on the same day as the Queen’s Speech. It will impose a £100 million burden on Welsh taxpayers and demolish a voting system that has served us well for years, and there has been no consultation with any voters at all. Even the Lib Dems describe it as a stitch-up.