8. Debate: Stage 4 of the Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:26 pm on 10 February 2021.

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Photo of Julie James Julie James Labour 5:26, 10 February 2021

Diolch, Llywydd. I formally move the motion. This Bill has been produced to a challenging timetable in a period of history that is not without its own unique challenges on our usual ways of working. I would like to thank not just the officials who have put this together through an intense period of hard work, but also to the Members here whose contribution to the scrutiny of this Bill has been invaluable. In particular, I would like to express my gratitude to the Chair, members and staff of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for the speed at which they were able to consider and report on the Bill. We brought forward a number of amendments at Stage 2 to give effect to their amendments, which have made the Bill more robust. I would also like to thank Rhun ap Iorwerth for his collaborative approach to amending this Bill. Through this approach, we were able to find a consensus on amendments that have greatly improved the Bill and the transparency of the subject matter.

On the theme of transparency, I am also glad that we were able to support Mark Isherwood's amendment requiring the criteria for proposing postponement of the Senedd election to be published. As I have stated many times during the course of this Bill, it is the Government's firm view that the elections should take place, as planned, on 6 May, and that is a view shared across the Siambr. But both the Senedd and the Welsh Government need a fresh mandate, and this Bill is not intended to prevent that. However, the pandemic has shown that it does not always follow a predictable course. It would be irresponsible of us not to have a contingency plan in the event that the public health situation is such that it is unsafe for the election to run as planned. Thanks to the cross-party work on this Bill, we have both the means to ensure the election can safely happen in May, if the public health situation allows, and to hold the election as soon as possible if it does not. Diolch.