The introduction of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill today sees the culmination of a long period of consultation and engagement with the public, political groups and wider stakeholders on electoral reform, and it takes up the opportunities presented in the Wales Act 2017 to strengthen our National Assembly for the better.

The substance of the Bill, then, is to create a more effective and accessible Senedd and to ensure that the cradle of our democracy is fit for purpose as we celebrate its establishment 20 years ago. As the Member in charge of this Bill, I have listened to a wide range of views on the main elements of the draft legislation—changing the National Assembly’s name, expanding the franchise for Assembly elections, and changing the law in relation to the arrangements governing individuals’ ineligibility to stand for election.

In designing these main provisions, the aim has been to ensure the broadest consensus possible among Members and to build on the mandate given to this legislation by a majority in this Assembly in October 2018.