Politics in Wales: More politicians ready for the future Senedd – Elin Jones

Increasing the number of members of the Senedd is a “final point” that will future-proof Wales’ devolution over the next hundred years, according to its president.

Elin Jones said the reforms that were supported by a cross-party majority of MSs but opposed by the Conservatives made the Senedd a “fit for purpose” parliament, even if Wales became independent.

Speaking to the BBC Walescast podcast, Ms Jones said the vote, which coincided with the 25th anniversary of the first elections for Cardiff Bay, was “extremely significant – and time-consuming”.

“This probably rectifies the error of 1999, when we had very few members in that first assembly.

“We should have had a larger number of members, so we had to wait and develop the argument and correct the error.

“And now, finally, in the same week that we celebrate our 25 years of existence as a parliament, we are also taking the next step to make this a parliament fit for the next 25 years – I would even say the next 100 years.”

She added: “I do not believe that a significant change in the number of people elected to this parliament is necessary.

“Even if the parliament becomes a parliament of an independent Wales or a parliament with much greater powers than it has today.”

Rhys ab Owen was banned from the Senedd for six weeks in March after an investigation found he inappropriately touched and swore at two women while drunk on a night out in June 2021.

In a statement at the time, Ab Owen said his behavior was “not up to the standard the public expects from a member of the Senedd, and for that I apologize unreservedly”.

In response, Ms Jones told Walescast that the complaint against Mr ab Owen had been taken seriously but that it was “an appropriate question to ask” whether the system could be improved.

“The Senedd dealt with it.

“Whether the matter was handled as quickly and appropriately as it should have been is something our standards committee needs to reflect on now,” she said.

“I’m not saying everything is perfect.

“I think we need to think about how we’ve had the experience of looking at this in the past and whether we need to make any changes.

“And we’re perfectly open to doing that and making things better.”