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‘Stale’ Senedd system must be overhauled to capture public’s interest, says Andrew RT Davies

08 Jul 2021 3 minute read
Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd.

The Senedd is too “subdued” and its “stale system” needs to be overhauled in order to capture the public and news media’s interest, according to the leader of the Welsh Conservatives.

Andrew RT Davies has suggested a number of changes, including taking computers out of the debating chamber and moving the First Minister’s Questions earlier in the day so that they have time to impact the news cycle for the rest of the day.

Elections should be fought every four years rather than five, he said, backing calls for reform by Labour backbencher Alun Davies MS.

Andrew RT Davies also called for allowing members more Urgent Questions so that the Wesh Government could be asked about topics that are relevant that day, and allowing opposition leaders greater opportunity to question the First Minister.

Any Covid announcements should also be made in the Senedd rather than at press conferences, he said.

“Even though the Senedd now is so much more powerful in terms of its legislative competence than it was when I was elected in 2007, the turnout in this year’s election was barely 3% higher than it was 14 years ago,” he said in an article for the Institute of Wesh Affairs.

“Over half of the eligible Welsh public are not engaged in Senedd elections. The Welsh Parliament’s powers have grown, and the democratic engagement needs to grow in line with those powers.

“So far, sadly, it has not. If the institution is to be relevant, it must change and change with the times.

“The Senedd needs to adapt to the way in which news is produced and consumed. Since I was elected to the Welsh Parliament, or Welsh Assembly as it was then, very little has changed when it comes to the business schedule.”

‘50% ceiling’

He added that under the Senedd attracted more than 50% of the vote at Welsh elections, its democratic legitimacy would always be questioned.

“In short, if we are to engage the public in the proceedings of the Welsh Parliament and its far-reaching powers, we have to stop expecting them to come to us,” he said.

“There comes a point at which it is our responsibility to be innovative and modern in order to pique people’s interest so they will show up at the ballot box.

“Some of the above might fail to do that, and there will be far greater minds than myself to bring this place closer to the people, and by eck it needs to.

“Because until we do that, then our democratic mandate might never break through that 50 per cent ceiling, and as such will always be questioned.”


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Quornby
Quornby
3 years ago

Andrew R T Davies……. Nothing to see here.

arthur owen
3 years ago
Reply to  Quornby

Speaking as a Welsh nationalist I think this is a very stupid comment by Quornby.

Gill Jones
Gill Jones
3 years ago
Reply to  arthur owen

Has it ever crossed your mind as to why your posts attract so many dislikes arthur?

j humphrys
j humphrys
3 years ago

Trouble with your computer? RT has the answer.

Phil Nedin
Phil Nedin
3 years ago

Why doesn’t RT Davies nip up to Westminster and ask his boss to lead by example?

Nick Randall-Smith
Nick Randall-Smith
3 years ago

In the Senedd I would rather have competence than excitement and sadly Andrew R T Davies has neither. Mr Davies really does very pink in the above photograph, very gammon.

Chris
Chris
3 years ago

So what does ReTweet want? Dancing girls? Dancing boys?
No. Take out the computers which help instant fact checking of accusations and lies.
Move question time to allow him more Tweeting time.
The oaf is trying to rig the game to suit his social media obsession. It still wouldn’t help him.
The sooner the Welsh Tories can find a scandal free leader, the sooner this inept thumb hungry seat-warmer can disappear

Last edited 3 years ago by Chris
Kerry Davies
Kerry Davies
3 years ago

So his suggestion is to turn the Senedd into a soundbite factory. Brilliant Andrew, but how about representing Wales and your constituents in fighting Westminster for the funds they promised?

Gill Jones
Gill Jones
3 years ago
Reply to  Kerry Davies

Flying and pigs spring to mind!

Mark
Mark
3 years ago

so he’s calling the legitimacy of the Senedd into question, sounds like his London boss has had a word with him?

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
3 years ago

Always looks pleased with himself does RT, just like Fat Shanks…

R W
R W
3 years ago

The turnout of the recent Hartlepool by-election was 42.7% but I haven’t seen any Tories questioning the legitimacy of the Conservative victory there. What a bunch of hypocrites they are.

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