Janet Finch-Saunders is today calling out the Welsh Government for its proposals to replace the current voting system in Wales with a closed proportional list, which she is calling “undemocratic and step in the wrong direction”. Under current proposals, the Welsh Government wish to increase the number of Senedd members with an accompanying new voting system. The proposals would place Wales among the minority in Europe – just four of the 27 EU member states use that system for their national elections.
Commenting on recent expert advice, Janet said.
“The Welsh Government have made crystal clear that they intend to build a bigger democratic institution here in Cardiff Bay but election experts from Belgium, Canada and Germany have made very clear that it cuts off accountability and gives political parties too much power.
A closed proportional list would be undemocratic and step in the wrong direction, not to mention unheard of in countries that are reforming their democratic institutions.”
Janet Finch-Saunders opposes the current plans to expand the number of Senedd members and electoral reform proposals and has called for a referendum.
Commenting further, Janet said.
“I’m all for open discussions on how we can improve the current democratic deficit here in Wales and methods which can be adopted to improve our elections and legislative process, but I also expect the Welsh Government to listen to the advice of others and prioritise issues that immediately face us. It’s estimated that current reform proposals will cost £20m over the next five years. I don’t think this is currently a good use of taxpayer’s money.”
