24. Closing Statements

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 7:45 pm on 24 March 2021.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Ann Jones Ann Jones Labour 7:45, 24 March 2021

—the Potatoes Originating in Egypt (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations. Now, as important as those were, they are the stuff of very few election manifestos. So, in 1999, the Assembly was the new kid on the block; it was the new institution still proving its worth, and even its right to exist, and something we must continue to prove ourselves worthy of each and every day.

So, anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a shrinking violet. I've never been afraid to stand up for my beliefs, I've never been afraid to stand up for my party's beliefs—and, sometimes, they've been slightly different—or the people I have had the pleasure to represent for 22 years and more, even if this has sometimes ruffled your feathers. So, if your feathers have been ruffled by me over the 22 years, then you were on the wrong side of my debate.

So, politics can often be seen as a negative, and there are those who feel that we're too cosy, inside a bubble here in Cardiff Bay, and there are others who feel that we argue for argument's sake. Now, whilst there are a small number for whom this may be true, the vast majority of Members and organisations I have worked with over the two decades deeply care about our country and want to make it better, even though we may disagree on how we achieve that.

So, as the first backbench Member to pass legislation—and I know you're all fed up of hearing about it, including the torturous legislative competence Order process—I'm proud of the legacy I leave across the whole of Wales. And for those of you who don't know what it is, it is to have sprinklers fitted—mandatory sprinklers fitted—in all new home builds. And that was because of devolution. Because of devolution and a commitment from the Welsh Labour Government at the time, Wales became the first UK nation to ensure mandatory fitting, and it was something that I was very proud of. Shockingly, though, this is still not the case in England, and many lives could be saved if this cost-effective measure were introduced. How many times have you heard me say that?

But, in my last five years, as Deputy Presiding Officer, I've been immensely proud of spreading our story and our new innovative ways of working, and sharing my passion for equality, social justice and fairness most widely. Those passions that brought me into politics still spur me on to recognise that there's still so much more to do. I think Bethan Sayed said that there's still more to do; I think we've all said that there's more to do. And so, whilst I'm not seeking re-election to the Senedd in May, like Angela and others, I have no intention of retiring. I plan on putting my experience and expertise gained in our Senedd to good use by continuing to be a campaigner for the causes I believe in and an advocate for my beloved north Wales.

So, as this is the three hundred and thirty third Plenary of this term—and if the figures are wrong, I shall blame the Commission staff, because I just took it off the front of the agenda this morning—I leave you with three things: keep your speeches short, less is always more; go out and tell the great story that is our Welsh Parliament; and let's all go out and cheer our national football team. I'm going to cheer you all on—well, I'm going to try cheering 60 of you—wearing red. Some of you may not be wearing red and I might still cheer for you. But I'm going to be an avid supporter of our Parliament—and I knew I was going to do this—I'm going to be an avid supporter of our Parliament, its greatness, and I'll cheer you all on from the sidelines. Diolch yn fawr iawn. Thank you.