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Wales’ constitutional future being ‘carved up behind closed doors’ Tory Senedd Member claims

05 May 2022 3 minute read
Janet Finch-Saunders in the Senedd

Wales’ constitutional future is being “carved up behind closed doors” by a commission on constitutional reform, a Conservative Senedd Member has said.

The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales, established by the Welsh Government, is currently holding a public consultation to look at options for how Wales might be governed in the future.

Headed by Professor Laura McAllister and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, it has called for a “national conversation” so that Wales can approach any UK-wide constitutional change “on the front foot”.

However, Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders said that there needed to be a “greater level of transparency” from the commission and a need for “constructive debate”.

She said that “media speculation” and “conversations amongst politicos” had led to an “unhealthy conversation on matters related to the Welsh constitution”.

“As I hope the Counsel General will agree, discussions on the future of Wales need to be held in a transparent and open manner, where citizens can continuously scrutinise the work of the Commission and provide their input on how they envisage a modern-day democratic Wales to look,” she said.

“The future of this country should not be calved up behind closed doors.”

She said that the recommendations of the commission are likely to include an increased number of seats in the Senedd and a reformed voting system.

“Wales is still in its democratic infancy which is a very unique and privileged position to be in,” she said. “It is therefore important that any reforms made are carried out based on models seen elsewhere in the world that could better improve the level of democracy and governance in Cardiff Bay.”

‘Keen to hear’

Launching its consultation in March, the Commission said that its 11 memberss coved a spectrum of backgrounds, expertise and political views, with the purpose of generating vigorous and ground-breaking debate to inspire what Wales’ future could look like.

Speaking last month, Dr Rowan Williams said that Wales “must be ready” if the UK were to “change radically”.

The co-chairs have set out seven broad questions that they want the public to consider, including one that quizzes the public about the merits of Welsh independence.

Co-chair Professor Laura McAllister added: “We’re extremely keen to hear from organisations and groups as much as individual members of the Welsh public. We want to learn from the organisations closest to different communities about what is important to them in this conversation.

“The Commission gives us an opportunity to take charge by having a national conversation about where we want Wales to be in the future, and what kind of Wales we want for our children and grandchildren.”


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Steve Duggan
Steve Duggan
1 year ago

This is interesting, are the Tories really concerned about ‘Wales’ consititutional future’ or just the fact they can’t prepare a defence for the Union should the Independent Commision on the Constitutional Future of Wales come out in favour of an independent future for Wales, or at least the suggestion it should seriously be looked at by the Senedd? Being kept in the dark must really infuriate them! The Commision must do its job without hinderance and the Tories – must wait.

Fi yn unig
Fi yn unig
1 year ago

There is a ‘national conversation’ on the future governance of Wales that is open to ALL, not least a Member of Y Senedd from any party but here we have a Tory who would rather peddle the idea that the nasty nationalistic, pugnacious little trolls are scheming behind our backs. What do you expect from someone who thinks the future governance of Wales is the status quo?

Richard
Richard
1 year ago
Reply to  Fi yn unig

Im afraid your wrong on her views mate re supporting the ststus quo…: her expressed views are way less than a Welsh Parliament 🥲

Fi yn unig
Fi yn unig
1 year ago
Reply to  Richard

Sorry to confuse, in status quo I meant run by Westminster but you’re right. Her like would sell off Y Senedd for high end housing. No doubts at all.

Llinos
Llinos
1 year ago

Are the tories complaining that they don’t get to carve up our constitutional future?
Anyway, it’s not behind closed doors. The Welsh people were invited to have their say. I responded. Which is more of an opportunity than any tory has ever given me

Last edited 1 year ago by Llinos
Gareth
Gareth
1 year ago

Any party, the Tory party included, that support the current UK FPTP system for elections, are in no position to lecture on democracy. Plenty of UK Govs have been elected with less than 50% of the popular vote, some below 45% and they call that democracy.

Kerry Davies
Kerry Davies
1 year ago

Is this idiot suggesting they get rid of the Tory commissioner in order for her paranoid delusions to come true?

Arwyn
Arwyn
1 year ago

Silly hyperbole from a party that is actively seeking to undermine the democratic choice and constitutional settlement of the Welsh people.

Barry Pandy
Barry Pandy
1 year ago
Reply to  Arwyn

Agreed, and let us not forget that the Tories are undermining Welsh devolution with no electoral mandate and they are doing this behind closed doors.

Cofid
Cofid
1 year ago

Or to put it more biblically, they are now known (after recent porn scandal) as the Conservative and Onanist Party.

The original mark
The original mark
1 year ago

How can a discussion open to the public be called “behind closed doors ” are these tories just mud slinging hoping something will stick, pathetic bunch Brit Nats

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
1 year ago

Indeed. And the same hypocritical Tory MS making these claims omits how her Whitehall master hijacked Wales EU powers that should have be returned to Wales because they were part of areas already devolved. Who since 2016 Brexit have been covertly undermining devolution & Welsh Government competency with their leveling up & shared prosperity fund direct rule agenda.

Richard
Richard
1 year ago

JFS certainly reflects a wide strand of opinion in llandudno which sees as the premier place to live in Wales. JFS is right to raise the need for an open and transparent enquiry into our pathway into the future. JFS also has some justification into thinking the ‘ Commission’ perhaps 🤔 does not reflect the demographic make up of our nation in its membership and the various strands in public, community and nation life. As per ususl the great and the good with knowm views – offering little relevance to the Deeside shop worker or Pembroke pensioner let alone the… Read more »

Last edited 1 year ago by Richard
Kurt C
Kurt C
1 year ago

Yet behind closed doors she wants us carved up into parts of English regions like the Northern powerhouse nonsense. Her party is threatening our country.

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
1 year ago

Only the Welsh people and Welsh Government recently elected on a manifesto promising further devolution & political change to our Senedd Cymru reserve the right to decide how far we travel constitutionally not Whitehall or the Welsh Conservatives. No ifs or buts. End of! Both Welsh & English Conservatives parties who have never had political legitimacy to rule Wales should remember these words said by them in 2016 below: “Remainers should respect the will of the 52% who voted for Brexit. We are leaving the EU.” With that said. The Tories should respect our right to constitutional change. More voters… Read more »

Vyvyan
Vyvyan
1 year ago

I wonder if she’s as mendacious as her Dear Leader?

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