Democratic Deficit

Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution – in the Senedd at 2:51 pm on 4 May 2022.

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Photo of Mick Antoniw Mick Antoniw Labour 2:51, 4 May 2022

Thank you for that supplementary question, and I do agree with, I think, most of what you actually said. I've raised a number of times my concern about the democratic health of Wales, and it goes across the United Kingdom. I think it is always of concern when there aren't sufficient candidates for some seats. I regard community councils as being an extremely important part of our democracy, so when either there aren't candidates or seats are unfilled—. I'm aware of two particular community councils where there aren't enough candidates for a quorum. I'm also aware that there are quite a number of seats where there has been only one candidate. Of course, some of that applies also at other council levels, but it is a concern. 

I'm also aware, of course, that there are many people, and I've come across individuals, who are interested very much in their community and community work but have decided that they will not stand for elections because of, I believe, the abuse that they actually get—as persons in public office. I think of the denigration that has taken place. I certainly think that is something that needs to be tackled. I know in fact of one community councillor who, the moment they said that they were going to stand for it, suddenly started getting abuse on social media and then changed their mind and said they weren't going to stand. So, I think there is a real issue there in terms of standing up for the integrity of those who stand for public office. I think that is something that needs to be addressed. 

I think, post the elections, we do need to look at two issues. One is the overall status of participation within elections, perhaps demographically, across Wales as a whole. We need to look at the outcome of the pilots that we've had that are looking at different ways of people being able to participate in elections. I also, as you know, have already made a statement that we do intend in year three to bring an electoral reform and administration Bill before this Senedd, and I hope all those comments and the views you've expressed will be things that will feature in terms of how we actually look at reforming, improving, making more accessible our electoral system. I was very moved by some of the comments that have been made in the media recently, things that actually we have been considering with regard to electoral reform, and that is those persons with disability and their ability to participate properly within the electoral system.

So, I think there are many issues there, but I suppose my concluding point is this: I think the health of our democracy is partly dependent on the participation of citizens within that, and if that participation is in some way weakened or is not fulfilled as it should be, then our society as a whole is weakened. That is something that we will be coming back to discuss and we will want to see what we can do to rectify it, but also to improve and make more accessible our own electoral system. Of course, we have had 16 to 17-year-olds for the first time being given the entitlement to vote, which is an extension of the franchise, but that's just one measure.