O/T: REFORM ‘NOT RULING OUT’ SCRAPPING SENEDD

Reform not ruling out scrapping Senedd, MS says
By David Deans

Laura Anne Jones, Reform's first ever Senedd politician has said her party is not ruling out scrapping the Senedd.

Party leader Nigel Farage has previously expressed support for the existence of the devolved institutions of the Senedd and Welsh government, based in Cardiff.

But speaking at her party's UK conference in Birmingham, Laura Anne Jones questioned whether the Welsh Parliament should continue if Reform could not make it "work for Wales".

Polls have suggested that the party is competing to come first in next year's Senedd election.

In a speech Jones proposed scrapping the 20mph speed limit in Wales, promised to build an M4 relief road and more GP surgeries, and said Reform would close hotels housing asylum seekers.

There have been arguments on the right of Wales' political spectrum for years over whether the country should have a parliament of its own.

Some Conservatives have argued that their party should support abolition to attract more voters.

The party in Cardiff Bay strongly rejects that idea, to the extent that party activists say pro-abolition members are effectively banned from standing for the Senedd.

One group opposed to devolution, the Abolish the Assembly party, failed to win any seats at the last election.

The Senedd, originally known as the National Assembly, was set up in 1999 after a referendum two years earlier.

Created by an act of Parliament, it would need to be a UK government decision to bring the institution to an end.

Analysis

Reform have a knack of making headlines.

The criticism has been that there is not a lot behind them in terms of Welsh policy detail.

We do now have some policy headlines, if not details and costings, around scrapping the 20mph law, building the M4 relief road and more GP surgeries.

And there is another headline now, too.

Their only current MS in a party fighting to control the Senedd, is floating the idea that in the future the institution might not exist under a Reform-led Welsh government.

This is currently only a ‘possible option’ but it would resonate with a lot of Welsh citizens, many of whom voted against the instigation of the Senedd, and those who have since grown increasingly unhappy with their policies and practices

Personally, I voted ‘no’ to the Senedd twice, and would do so again!

In my view, this would be a mistake. My belief has long been that if it was abolished, people would soon regret that.

The Welsh Assembly is far from perfect, but it's better with it than without it.

I also don't think a Government should make a decision like this. As it was brought in by a referendum, any decision to possibly abolish it should also be done by a referendum. In that case, it may well be that the public decide they want to abolish it.

Id Be fine with that. Give Welsh MPs their own forum and powers and save a fortune on the costs of the senedd which increase annually. Give me a tad reduction and give me less politicians

The biggest problem with the senedd is labour. Twenty odd years of running almost uncontested, isn't good for anyone. It leads to things like the 20 speed limit

Needs something because labour simply run a dictatorship without any oversight now... if they are challenged by anyone it's a no comment we don't speculate or nothing to do with my dept it's the council or whoever runs the institution who make decisions! Had health Secretary do that when health board mislaid £150m its a matter for health board not me?? now they are introducing new voting system something that as been deemed unconstitutional by experts but Labour said fck u we are doing it as we want stay in power for ever which is what new voting system will help do..

I voted against it, voter turnout was around 50% and of them slightly over half voted for it.So in effect only a quarter of voters were in favour. It’s an expensive talking shop, staffed by over over promoted town councilors. I mean Drakeford for Fs sake, who despite failing as first minister, got moved to health, to continue the grift.

The senedd is great for Wales.

However

It’s being done all wrong, the senedd should not be about party politics.
It should be what’s good for Wales, its regions, its cities.

The shower of shite in that senedd should be sacked.
They are wasting too much money on shite.

All the parties have at least 2 or 3 good policies, let’s make it work for Wales.
This labour dictatorship is not a senedd…..

The civil service administering the Senedd is massive and therein lies the problem.

In my previous company, i worked in intervals with the Welsh government/civil service, and if they were a private company, they would be bankrupt within weeks.

This was back in the day when our local MS member was First Minister Carwyn Jones. Before he was first minister, he used to have a pint in the railway and he'd have a chat to anyone, great guy. When he visited, his entourage was massive. The two photographers always stuck with me. One from the government/civil service the other from the first minister's office ....WTF!!!

Then the meeting for the grants.

The meetings had to be after 11:00 am, but before 1 pm. A pretty tight window. We sat there waiting for them to attend. One rocks up at 10:40, the other at 10:45, the third 11:05, no worries, it was the introductory meeting. During the early pleasanteries, we spoke about where they were from. It turned out the first one was based in the bay, then the second was from Carmathen, the third was based in the Bangor office and travelled down that morning, this is why it was so late and had to be at Bridgend station by 2 to get the train home. So her whole day was train to Bridgend, one hour meeting, lunch with colleagues, and train home !!!!! What a gig.

We were asking for a grant towards a robotic arm. After the third session, one of them asked how many jobs it would create. With puzzlement, i had to explain that productivity improvements generally meant doing more with the same, and that's what we were planning to do and they said that would create an issue. We had to explain that in a global market, we had to be more productive and doing more with the same labour was the only way to keep manufacturing alive in Wales. Totally lost on all of them.

I went to Ireland to visit our sister plants and was shocked by how much the national and local governments are involved in keeping the tiger economy going. We are a disaster from London and Cardiff.

We'd never notice on any level if they disbanded the senedd.

Whilst the welsh assembly is crap and needs shaking up less than fifty percent of the UK public bothered to vote in the brexit referendum

Of that 50 percent only 51 percent wanted out

So 25 percent basically

So if we are talking democracy its not only the welsh assembly that needs a kick up the arse

I would personally reduce it to say 35 seats

Please go and research how much business is brought to Wales due to the decisions and actions from within the Senedd (which is usually opposed by Westminister). Id bet that a some reading this forum are directly or indirectly in a job as a result.

Wales lost alot during Brexit, we'd lose more if the Senedd is scrapped. The people sat in it aren't the best, but they care more about Wales than their brothers and sisters in London.

Whilst the welsh assembly is crap and needs shaking up less than fifty percent of the UK public bothered to vote in the brexit referendum

Of that 50 percent only 51 percent wanted out

So 25 percent basically

So if we are talking democracy its not only the welsh assembly that needs a kick up the arse

I would personally reduce it to say 35 seats

The turnout for Brexit vote was over 70%

Some things never change. Sludge talking via rectum is one of them.

Some things never change. Sludge talking via rectum is one of them.

Well I would say 51 percent wanting to leave Europe is hardly a ringing endorsement is it ?

A few points the other way and reform wouldnt even exist

Please go and research how much business is brought to Wales due to the decisions and actions from within the Senedd (which is usually opposed by Westminister). Id bet that a some reading this forum are directly or indirectly in a job as a result.

Wales lost alot during Brexit, we'd lose more if the Senedd is scrapped. The people sat in it aren't the best, but they care more about Wales than their brothers and sisters in London.

Or reform

Staggered people who will happily say we hate England and we hate England are voting for those twats

Please go and research how much business is brought to Wales due to the decisions and actions from within the Senedd (which is usually opposed by Westminister). Id bet that a some reading this forum are directly or indirectly in a job as a result.

Wales lost alot during Brexit, we'd lose more if the Senedd is scrapped. The people sat in it aren't the best, but they care more about Wales than their brothers and sisters in London.

The Senedd is a glorified talking show with minimal powers , the NHS and educational services are the two most important ones and they are in an absolute mess under the current administration.

Do you think it’s worth £139 m per year ?

Don’t you think many businesses were brought to Wales before the senedd as they certainly were, it’s just the decision making was not costing 139m per annum.

Hmm…. So the racist, pro Israel, anti European, pro Trump, multi millionare led Reform party are thinking about getting rid of the Welsh Assembly! And a great many of English people who have come to live in Wales agree.

Thats British politics today folks!

Cymru am byth

Hmm…. So the racist, pro Israel, anti European, pro Trump, multi millionare led Reform party are thinking about getting rid of the Welsh Assembly! And a great many of English people who have come to live in Wales agree.

Thats British politics today folks!

Cymru am byth

You have totally missed the point and gone off on a tangent about other issues that are not relevant to this thread . The current government is pro Israel as are Welsh business and defence contractors who supply weapons and equipment to Israel which the Assembly support.

Please go and research how much business is brought to Wales due to the decisions and actions from within the Senedd (which is usually opposed by Westminister). Id bet that a some reading this forum are directly or indirectly in a job as a result.

Wales lost alot during Brexit, we'd lose more if the Senedd is scrapped. The people sat in it aren't the best, but they care more about Wales than their brothers and sisters in London.

The Senedd is a glorified talking show with minimal powers , the NHS and educational services are the two most important ones and they are in an absolute mess under the current administration.

Do you think it’s worth £139 m per year ?

Don’t you think many businesses were brought to Wales before the senedd as they certainly were, it’s just the decision making was not costing 139m per annum.

Very few things senedd have brought in yhat were good but got them wrong! Free prescription great but whydidnt they ban paracetamol calpol and all the other cheap to buy medicines ? Go into a surgery and find several people with baby /kids looking to get free calpol no wonder can get appointments.. and ban smoking in public aces that's been best but even then wanted ro go ott with where it wanted banned (the beach) no its a waste of money and because of labour's dominance past 20yrs they're treating the people and the sennedd with utter contempt by ignoring public consultations legal advice on election change thats coming which will reinforce their dominance.. don't allow scrutiny of spending or decision making ... but its OK they simply blame the last Conservative gvmnt even though they've been in power 20yrs and NHS and thee like have been failing year on year gor best part of the 20yrs.

The biggest problem with the senedd is labour. Twenty odd years of running almost uncontested, isn't good for anyone. It leads to things like the 20 speed limit

Yes, that imbalance means it doesn't run as it should. A strong opposition has always been needed, perhaps Reform can fix this.

I've said it many times before what has the senedd done for the valleys in all the time it has existed,the valleys is still one of the poorest areas in the UK ,they are increasing the number of MPs by over 30 when everyone is struggling, look what that's going to cost ,they basically said fook you were are doing it anyway, same with the 20mph , changing the voting system,and making Wales a sanctuary for migrants as well as everything else that's failing, they sometimes ask us if we want what they are proposing if they don't like the answer guess what they say fook you and do it anyway,it's a big waste of money .

I've said it many times before what has the senedd done for the valleys in all the time it has existed,the valleys is still one of the poorest areas in the UK ,they are increasing the number of MPs by over 30 when everyone is struggling, look what that's going to cost ,they basically said fook you were are doing it anyway, same with the 20mph , changing the voting system,and making Wales a sanctuary for migrants as well as everything else that's failing, they sometimes ask us if we want what they are proposing if they don't like the answer guess what they say fook you and do it anyway,it's a big waste of money .

All true what you say ...they run WG as if its their own property and not answerable to anyone ! So ma y time consultations come back with experts public saying no but did it anyway hoe can forget m4 146m spent on consultations saying its needed but drakeford just simply said I said "NO" and no means no! The costs are going up expeditiously starting with extra AMs plus all the admin staff expenses ect ect.. not withstanding new building to replace the one that houses them next door god knows price of that? They've done nothing for valleys done nothing for pembrokeshire except demolish health services here.

Reform do love a headline. Even if they do secure a majority of MSs next year, I doubt that gives them a mandate just to scrap the Senedd.
They say alot of things, but when questioned about the detail, are often unable to provide any.

Well that silly cow in charge is already lining up the blame for no budget? If they lose Caerphilly by-election they will be 2 short of majority so is accusing plaid of not supporting the budget even though nothing as been done yet!