Elin Jones: I now call on the party leaders to question the First Minister and, first of all, the leader of the opposition, Leanne Wood.
Elin Jones: I am about to chill the spontaneity of debate, and move on to next business. So, thank you for your contribution, and I now move on to First Minister’s questions.
Elin Jones: And I ask Sian Gwenllian to ask the first question in the fifth Assembly.
Elin Jones: At this point, I don’t want to rerun last week’s contribution, so I think it would be better, in your own interest, to draw your remarks to a close now and for us to move on to the business at hand today.
Elin Jones: I call the Assembly to order.
Elin Jones: Before we begin today, I should like to make a statement. I have received a number of complaints regarding language used in the Chamber last week by the leader of the UKIP group. Our Standing Orders prohibit discourteous and unbecoming conduct, and language that is disorderly, discriminatory, offensive or which detracts from the dignity of this Assembly. Having reviewed the Record, I have no...
Elin Jones: In addition to First Minister’s questions, I hope that we will be in a position at that meeting next week to elect members to the Business Committee and so begin the routine organisation of Plenary business. By that time, it’s possible that the First Minister will have appointed Welsh Ministers. Members and the public will be informed of the agenda in the usual way, and that brings...
Elin Jones: The next item is a motion without notice to bring forward questions to the First Minister at the next Plenary meeting, which I intend to call for 1.30 p.m. next Tuesday afternoon, 24 May, subject to Her Majesty’s approval of the First Minister’s nomination. I call on Jane Hutt to formally move the motion.
Elin Jones: The question is whether the proposal is agreed. Is there any objection? I see there is none, therefore the proposal is agreed, in accordance with Standing Order—the people moving my script are moving too quickly for their new Presiding Officer. It’s in accordance with Standing Order 12.36. Therefore, the motion is agreed.
Elin Jones: Can I just make the point here I don’t think that any bigoted remarks have been made by anybody in this Chamber to date?
Elin Jones: Allow the Member to continue his contribution.
Elin Jones: Neil Hamilton, leader of the UKIP group.
Elin Jones: Andrew R.T. Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives.
Elin Jones: Leanne Wood, leader of the opposition.
Elin Jones: Move on. Move on to a new point of order. Move on to a new point of order. [Interruption.]
Elin Jones: And I stated in my ruling that it was not reasonable for us to hold another election when one of the candidates nominated no longer wishes to be nominated. So, it would be unreasonable to hold a vote in those circumstances. Therefore, I proceed to declare that Carwyn Jones has been nominated to be appointed First Minister. In accordance with section 47(4) of the Government of Wales Act 2006,...
Elin Jones: The nomination has been made now, and I proceed. Therefore, there is no other point of order. I have made my ruling on that point—
Elin Jones: Well, I have made my ruling. I’ll allow you one further opportunity to challenge that, but that’s it then.
Elin Jones: Thank you for that point of order. I have made my ruling in this instance. Members will appreciate that the Standing Orders do not go into detail on every conceivable scenario and, in such situations, it is my responsibility as Presiding Officer to interpret the Standing Orders and guide this Assembly as best I can. It would be unreasonable to force someone who no longer wishes to be...
Elin Jones: In that case, only one nomination remains. And, it is my view that it would not be reasonable to conduct another roll-call vote when one of these candidates wishes to withdraw.
