Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:34 pm on 21 June 2016.
Thank you very much, Simon Thomas. I think we also, I’m sure, would want to thank the speedy response from the police, who I’m sure have contacted all of us, but also from the Llywydd and her officials in terms of the opportunities with the police to have sessions for all Assembly Members and to make sure that we are safe and can continue to represent our constituents in the way that we feel is most appropriate. Indeed, many of us have had surgeries over the weekend, and experienced not only support and surveillance from the police, but also very strong backing from our constituents that we are ready and accessible and available to meet, but having to learn those tragic lessons in terms of what happened so dramatically and drastically and brutally last Thursday to Jo Cox.
So, I think, your points about the well of hatred and poison, we actually responded to those last week, didn’t we, in terms of our minute’s silence and response to the Orlando shootings as well. I did respond on that occasion as well as to how our policies in terms of tackling hate crime need of course to be monitored, reflected and strengthened in many ways.
You point the focus on social media, and I think some of us across this Chamber have already experienced some of that backlash over the last week, and I think we need to look at this very carefully as an Assembly, and also in Government. I know that’s where the Minister for communities and children will be taking this forward in terms of meeting police and crime commissioners. And he’s making a statement on progress today on a very important piece of legislation on how we’re tackling violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. This is a whole dimension that we need to focus on, particularly in the ways in which it could negatively affect women.
Your points about making sure that we’re all accountable and accessible as Ministers to this Assembly are very important. Of course, you will have seen the written statement on curriculum reform from the Cabinet Secretary for Education, and of course she was very happy to deliver that written statement as quickly and promptly as possible in her new role. I think it’s very important that we see, and I know the Llywydd will be looking for, opportunities to celebrate the great wins so far, and the final victory, which we all look forward to, for Wales, as we wish our team well for Saturday in Paris. I think also, just to say, in terms of football, all Cadw venues are open for free this Sunday; it’s a celebration Sunday as a result of our success so far. Of course, as well as sadness and vigils, we’ve been able to celebrate our sportsmen and women on many occasions here in the Senedd, and I’m sure we will continue to do so with a very specific football focus.