Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:42 pm on 8 June 2022.
Now, I'm not supporting additional Members because I want to see more politicians, but we all have to accept that we need greater capacity to deal with the increased powers and responsibilities that we have. It stands to reason that additional devolved powers and additional law-making powers and additional tax-varying powers mean that there will be a greater pressure on existing capacity, and if you don't increase capacity to deal with that then what you're doing is you're diminishing the ability of the Senedd to use those powers effectively. I don't want a diminished Senedd. I don't want a Senedd that's less able to maximise its potential to improve the lives of the people of Wales. I want a Senedd that's firing on all cylinders and that's able to turn every stone in its scrutiny of Government, in its fulfilling of its legislative and fiscal responsibilities and, of course, in its ability to articulate the voices of the people of Wales in all of its diversity. So, less of the fake anger—support these proposals, because that is the way that will make all of that happen.