Andrew RT Davies slams ban on ‘imprecise and inaccurate’ use of ‘blanket’ description of 20 mph limit
Andrew RT Davies has suggested that the Llywydd’s ban on using the word “blanket” to describe the 20mph default speed limit was “politically motivated”.
Elin Jones prohibited the word from being used in the Chamber after shadow transport minister Natasha Asghar received a slap on the wrist for persistently using the term when describing the road regulation.
The defiant Tory was formerly censured on Wednesday (September 25) with the Senedd endorsing the findings of a standards commissioner investigation against her.
Standards Commissioner Douglas Bain found that Ms Asghar had brought the Senedd into disrepute and broke the rules on acting truthfully.
Elin Jones, the Senedd’s speaker, intervened during proceedings to stress that the standards committee found the use of the term was “imprecise and inaccurate”.
She said she changed her mind on the use of the word due to the ruling after allowing the term to be used for months.
The Llywydd said: “It is not correct to use it in that context, in this Chamber any more … that is my view and I am the Llywydd … I ask you all to respect my view.”
Letter
Ms Asghar was part of the committee which considered a complaint about her group leader Andrew RT Davies, who has frequently described 20mph as a “blanket” policy.
Mr Davies was cleared of breaching the rules in January.
On Thursday (September 26) the leader of the Senedd Tories said Ms Jones had set a “precedent” that she would need to apply “equally”.
In a letter to the Llywydd, he claimed to have been contacted by constituents who believed Ms Jones’ decision was politically motivated.
The Welsh Tory leader called on the Llywydd to rule out using the term in other instances – such as Labour’s “£22 billion black hole” description of the nation’s finances.
Letter
Mr Davies wrote: “Yesterday, in the Senedd chamber, you confirmed that, during proceedings, members are prohibited from using in term ‘blanket’ to describe to describe the 20mph policy.
“You claimed this is because it is “imprecise and inaccurate” to use the term in this way. This is despite the term being used frequently within public discourse and widely understood.
“This potentially sets a dangerous precedent, under which politicians are policed by their peers for the political stances that they take. It is my view that it should be the voting public, and not other politicians, to determine if the terms elected members choose to use are appropriate.
“Ultimately we are accountable not to each other, but to the ballot box. It is important this principal is maintained.
“Over the past 24 hours, I have received a considerable amount of correspondence from people across Wales objecting to the decision. Many of those people believe the decision was politically motivated, to prevent scrutiny of a policy that is both unpopular and controversial.
“Now that this precedent has been set it is of utmost importance that it is applied equally – for example, several Labor politicians have recently used the term ‘£22 billion black hole’ to describe the state of the nation’s finances.
“This is despite the claim being proven to be false and contradicted by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and many other independent analysts.
“I would therefore be grateful if you would confirm that this term will now also be ruled out of order in the Chamber, along with any others that would by strict interpretation considered to be imprecise and inaccurate.”
A spokesperson for Ms Jones said: “There will be no further comment from Llywydd.
“Her view on the issue was put on record during the debate in Plenary yesterday.”
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
Instead of blustering, RT should explain to the public what ‘blanket’ means in relation to the 20mph speed limit when it wasn’t blanket 30 before. What is his problem with using the correct word ‘default’? Could his insistence on using the word blanket be ‘politically motivated’? He needs to explain why he and his censured minister wish to convince the Welsh public that 20mph is the speed limit on the M4, A55 and many other dual carriageways. Those roads provide live and moving evidence of their ongoing lie. This is how I interpret ‘blanket’. If I’m wrong, explain what it… Read more »
I suppose that the correspondence he claims is from Tory associations from around the UK.
He really should just shut up now but I suppose he is in that hole digging away and since his boss was sacked by the UK part on the same ticket, no one has told him everyone has gone home.
Hint. How many were on the steps of the Senedd the other day? Apart from the far right activist that is?
The sloppy use of language is a barrier to good debate, so it’s good that Artie accepts that “blanket” is a bad word in this context and that he supports extending the principle of using the right word for the right job.
And we are supposed to believe we have a grown-up legislature…kids in blankets…
How long has that Ref been in the job !
The SCUM Party Tory have been using that word Blanket Ban since 20 MPH was introduced its false information the idiot supporters over the Tories especially in England believe every road in Wales is 20 MPH Tory supporters BRAINS OF DONALD DUCK I Q OF DAFFY DUCK
Empathy of DONALD TRUMP
Obviously I can’t comment on the Llywydd’s motives in deciding on her determination, nor indeed on what might be happening in other parts of the country. But, in my local authority at least, the 20 mph limit quite definitively isn’t ‘blanket’. In our nearest town there’s a road which, though unambiguously urban, has retained its 30 mph limit along most of its length because there are no residential or commercial premises there. The 20 mph limit only comes into force at the point where the road runs into a local ystad ddiwydianol which has a number of retail premises where… Read more »
His own party supported Adam Price’s proposal to ban lying in the Senedd just a few months ago?
Is the Llywydd a job for life ?
What will he do without his comfort blanket.
Is Tory Troll Andrew RT Davies a little twp? I think he is. The term “blanket” refers to its entirety. I’ll say it slowly so he can understand. The 20 mph default speed limit is not blanket. Duw, how many times has the thick Conservatives got to be told this fact? Also, it was recently reported in a BBC article how a 5 year old little girl in Gwynedd was his by a car travelling at, yes you’ve guessed it, 20 mph nearly killing her. She received a fractured skull, concussion, and her Doctors said if the driver who struck… Read more »
“When I use a word”, said HumpRTy “it means what I want it mean”
What is wrong with the ‘Welsh’ Tories? They know their terminology is wrong!! They are doing themselves no favours – everybody else can see through the deception (even those that are ardent followers). It’s time to finally stop to stop this BS.