7 February 2024 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Housing supply
Thank you for taking the intervention. I appreciate what you say about social housing. I agree there should be no stigma attached to social housing at all. But isn't it a fact that most people do aspire to want to own their own home, rather than to rent a…
7 February 2024 , Plenary
90-second Statements
Welsh Dark Skies Week starts on Friday. It's a week of events that has taken place every year since 2021, giving us all the opportunity to celebrate Wales's wonderful dark sky reserves, as well as raising awareness of light pollution. There are various events…
7 February 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Thank you for that answer. Deputy Minister, you'll be aware that, yesterday, I raised concerns with the First Minister about the poor experience of patients at the Nant y Glyn community mental health centre in Colwyn Bay. Patients are simply not getting the…
7 February 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
2. Will the Minister make a statement on access to community mental health services in North Wales? OQ60651
6 February 2024 , Plenary
Debate: The Draft Budget 2024-25
I want to speak just briefly, if I can, on the situation facing children and young people as a result of today's budget. Our children really are our future and we have a duty in this Chamber to act in the best interests of future generations. That's why an…
6 February 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
I'm grateful for that response, First Minister. Mental health services in north Wales are currently in special measures due to failings, and we know that they've been in special measures and the subject of intervention since 2015. But I regret to inform you…
6 February 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
6. What assessment has the First Minister made of the quality of mental health services in Conwy and Denbighshire? OQ60649
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
I think it is important that this question has been tabled today. But, I have to say, I'm disappointed by the tone of both the Counsel General and, indeed, the Member for Blaenau Gwent in referring to it. This is a good day; it's a good day for devolution…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Well, clearly, there are discussions that need to take place as soon as possible, particularly in relation to some of the immediate recommendations in the report, especially, for example, on issues of financial flexibility for the Welsh Government, which is…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
I'm grateful for the response. Of course, I can appreciate the attraction to federalism that many people in this Chamber have expressed, and that which has been expressed, of course, in the constitution commission's report. But it doesn't address the fact…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, the First Minister said in his statement yesterday to the Senedd on the report of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales, and I quote, that he wants to continue to: 'Work for a new and successful United…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
Thank you for your generosity in taking a further intervention. I can assure you that we are not abolitionists of this place. We support devolution and we're proud devolutionists. But you are talking about strengthening democracy and strengthening this…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
Will you take an intervention?
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
I just want to make reference to the consistency argument. Of course, we are being consistent in calling for a referendum where significant changes to the voting system are being proposed. We held a referendum on whether to adopt an alternative vote system…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
My own view is that the House of Lords needs reform, Alun. I've got no problem in saying that, and I think it is too large, and we've got too many peers who don't work and still have an entitlement to sit in that place. That is wrong and it needs to be…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
The reality is that everybody in Wales at the moment at a Senedd election can vote for an individual candidate of their choice. You want to take that ability away from them. The system before us will also deliver a less representative Welsh Parliament due to…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
The people in my constituency have an opportunity to vote for an individual person, and of course they have a vote for a political party on a list. But they have a vote. Everybody in this country—[Interruption.] I know you don't want to listen, but if you…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
The beauty of the current voting system is that if the members of the public do not like the choice made of the candidate selected by my political party, they don't have to vote for me. That's the difference. You may want to take power away from the people of…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
The general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
It will come as no surprise to anybody in this Chamber this afternoon to hear that the Welsh Conservatives will be voting against the progression of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill this evening. Wales needs more doctors, nurses, dentists and…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Holocaust Memorial Day
Minister, can I thank you for your statement? I think that it is important that Holocaust Memorial Day is marked in the Senedd in this way with a ministerial statement every year, in the same way that, on an annual basis, we mark the event in the Senedd, as…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: The final report of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales
—in order to make sure that those sorts of debates and discussions can be facilitated. Because this report doesn't dwell on that, but it is an important thing that does need to come out of this work.
30 January 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the First Minister: The final report of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales
Diolch, Llywydd dros dro. First Minister, I was very taken with the report, which, obviously, I read in detail, and I think there's a lot of useful information to glean from it. Obviously, like you, I'm a committed unionist. I want to see Wales playing a full…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Can I call for two statements today, please, Trefnydd, the first on the future of our high streets in Wales? Many town centres have been struggling in recent years. We know that the competition presented by online retailers and out-of-town developments, with…
17 January 2024 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Apprenticeships
I just wanted to make a short contribution. As Jack Sargeant quite rightly said, there's plenty of support for apprenticeships in this Chamber on a cross-party basis, and I think it's great to hear so many people sharing their enthusiasm for ensuring that we…
17 January 2024 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Healthcare inspection and funding
I think one of the concerns about HIW's lack of independence is that, of course, elsewhere in the UK, inspectorates can place organisations into special measures without seeking permission from Ministers, which gives the opportunity for political…
