7. Motion to annul The Local Government (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections) (Wales) Regulations 2020

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:44 pm on 10 June 2020.

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Photo of Caroline Jones Caroline Jones UKIP 3:44, 10 June 2020

My group will not be supporting the motion to annul brought forward by Suzy Davies today. Whilst all of us hold democracy close to our hearts and will do all that we can to uphold democratic principles, we have to consider the wider context. Millions of people globally have been infected with a virus that has cost many lives and is spread by face-to-face contact. Our country is in lockdown. Lives are on hold and many people have lost their jobs and businesses have collapsed, and, for a lot of people in Wales, the future is uncertain. Measures taken have been necessary to stop the exponential spread of coronavirus. How, then, can we hold by-elections? And the answer is that we cannot in a safe or meaningful way. Elections in many cases require face-to-face discussions, public meetings, often necessary to make informed choices. Electronic voting alienates a percentage of the public, who are living in poverty and cannot afford computers, as well as those unable to use the equipment. Therefore, in just these two examples, people are not treated equally and may be unable to vote through this inequality. So, unfortunately, my group believes that elections at this moment in time should be suspended, and we will vote against this motion.