Did you mean representations -taxation speaker:Alun Davies?
Alun Davies: ...on the armed forces, I'd like to echo the points that Darren Millar has made. The armed forces liaison officers form a critical part of the infrastructure of the provision of services, and the representation of need within local government across Wales. We were able to extend the funding—I think it was for two years—which runs out now in March, and it would be a really essential and...
Alun Davies: ...people spoke from all parts of Europe, from all parts of the United Kingdom—there was nobody there to represent Northern Ireland. And that really crystallizes the crisis, I think, we have in UK representation in these matters. We should pay tribute to Sir Oliver Heald and to Hilary Benn, the chair and vice-chair of the UK delegation, who did their best to ensure that we were made very...
Alun Davies: ...to what you said; you say that we've had an opportunity to design a specific UK-wide subsidy control regime in this instance. Do you, therefore, regret that the UK Government has ignored all the representations made by both the Welsh Government and this Senedd?
Alun Davies: The final point I'd wish to make is that the greatest exclusion of electors is first-past-the-post, and I hope that we will be able to introduce proportional representation—fair proportional representation—STV, to ensure that everybody is included in choosing who represents them and not just people who happen to live in constituencies where the majority of people agree with their choices.
Alun Davies: 2. What representations has the Welsh Government made following the imprisonment of Catalonia’s elected political leaders? 352
Alun Davies: ...I hope that the Welsh Government will work alongside the UK Government and others to ensure that we strengthen Wales's position internationally on the international stage, and we strengthen Wales's representation across the world. Presiding Officer, I'm grateful to you for allowing this statement this afternoon. I do believe it's essential that committees are able to bring these statements...
Alun Davies: ...'t said that, but I was just about to. [Laughter.] I do not believe—. I recognise what you're saying, Joyce, and I recognise, of course, why you're saying it, but I do not believe that regional representation is real representation, I'll be absolutely clear about that. I do not believe—[Interruption.] I don't believe it. I'm afraid I don't believe it. And do you know what? I think most...
Alun Davies: ...as you will remember—I'm making the point—as you will know. And I know that the experience of being a constituency Member and a regional Member is different, and I do not believe that regional representation is effective representation. I do not believe that the people of Blaenau Gwent—
Alun Davies: ...Kingdom Ministers, and in Brussels, we are part of the United Kingdom ministerial team, and we have agreements with the United Kingdom Government that we do enjoy the support of the United Kingdom Representation to the European Union and of the foreign office. I would place on record my gratitude to UKRep and to civil servants in the foreign office for the excellent support that I...
Alun Davies: ...it does not reflect either the debates that we have with local government, and I do not believe it reflects the reality either. I will say to the Member that the finance sub-group, which provides representation for all authorities across the country, endorsed the settlement funding formula for the next financial year at its meeting on 27 September. In addition to this, I spoke to...
Alun Davies: ...in all parts of Wales at the moment in terms of how we deliver local government. I want to strengthen that accountability, but I also want to see how we can ensure that we have a diversity in representation in local government. There have been a number of reports in front of this place over many, many years that have described the lack of diversity in local government. The Member for Arfon...
Alun Davies: My views on support of proportional representation are well known and are already on the record. The policy of this Government has not changed since I made an oral statement on this matter in January.
Alun Davies: Llywydd, what would be most insulting would be to finish a consultation yesterday and inform you of the decision today, without considering any of the representations made to us over the past months. That would be most insulting to those people who have participated in this discussion. But may I make this quite clear? I met with Professor Prowle last week, and I had a long conversation with...
Alun Davies: ...is that neither the Welsh Government nor the UK Government can actually deliver the sort of holistic policy response to those in the criminal justice system that is required by all of us. I've made representations to the MOJ about refreshing the concordat that we do have at present with the MOJ about how we take forward these matters. I've written quite recently to the Home Secretary about...
Alun Davies: ...the question. Look, I'm a strong supporter of fair votes, to ensure that your vote counts wherever you happen to live and to encourage people to participate in elections. And I think proportional representation does do that. However, we must all recognise that we don't have the mandate for that at present, and we don't have the support to do that at present, although I would say that, most...
Alun Davies: ...to ensure that we can appeal to more people and create more opportunities for people to stand for election in the future. I do think that that would assist in ensuring that we have a more equal representation within chambers across the country in the future. So, I hope there will will be a discussion, and I will lead a discussion and debate on this in the ensuing months.
Alun Davies: ...how voting can change something and the importance of taking part in the election process. It's a matter for others to take some of the views that have been expressed in terms of proportional representation versus first past the post. I have to say to the Member for Aberconwy that part of personal and social education is around active citizenship. I'm surprised that she is not aware of...
Alun Davies: ...has lived up to his hopes, placing the sustainable development principle at the heart of its approach. It has involved the widest possible range of stakeholders, aided by an oversight group with representation from local government, fire and rescue services, police and crime commissioners, the Youth Justice Board Cymru, police chiefs, probation and prison services, the third sector and UK...
Alun Davies: Presiding Officer, I have already disappointed my good friend from Swansea East with my views on proportional representation; I don't propose to disappoint him again this afternoon. But, I will say to him that when we look at how we reform and deepen our democracy, I believe that we have to be bold and radical, and not conservative, and look and embrace change.
Alun Davies: ...too forthright this afternoon, but simply say I prefer a smaller board and one that is able to function and build on the strengths of its members, rather than just to go straight down the route of representation. In terms of quality, I’ve met the EWC to discuss the matters that you raise. I think you’re absolutely right to raise the issues about professional standards. It’s a point...
