11. & 12. Debate: The General Principles of the Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill and The financial resolution in respect of the Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:53 pm on 2 February 2021.

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Photo of Mick Antoniw Mick Antoniw Labour 5:53, 2 February 2021

Diolch, Llywydd. We took evidence on the Bill yesterday from the Minister, as has been mentioned. I'm very grateful to the staff of the Commission and the committee for the work they have undertaken to prepare what I think is a very thorough and detailed report on what is a very important piece of electoral, and therefore constitutional, legislation. So, we've paid very close attention to it in a very, very short space of time, and we're grateful very much to the Minister for giving evidence yesterday, but also for the detailed comments you've made today in respect of the various recommendations.

I will run through some of the key recommendations. Of course, we raised the issue again of human rights, and the lack of reference to it in the explanatory memorandum. The Minister will be aware that this is a matter that we significantly focus on. I note the Minister's comments, and I just refer Members to the recommendation in the report. The issue of convention rights equally applies.

Moving on to section 1. The Minister told us that the Bill can only relate to the 2021 election. It is effectively spent after 5 November 2021. We weren't able to come to agreement in that way. For example, the power in section 12 could potentially allow the Welsh Ministers to amend the date of 5 November 2021, set out in section 5, by regulations, and that is why we made the recommendation 2, which was with regard to sunset clause.