3. Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution: Publication of the Electoral Administration and Reform White Paper

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:15 pm on 11 October 2022.

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Photo of Rhys ab Owen Rhys ab Owen Plaid Cymru 3:15, 11 October 2022

Why aren't we willing to change the voting system? Everything else in the world changes. But Mr Luddite over here wants us to remain in the age of steam when it comes to voting, rather than go into the digital age. But it's hardly surprising, though, Cwnsler Cyffredinol, to hear Darren Millar opposing reform. Of course, his party's opposed every reform since the great Reform Act 1832, haven't they? So, at least he's true to form. His attack on pilots—. Well, pilots are just those, aren't they? They are tests. They are things to learn from, and I would support any pilot with the aim of trying to encourage more people to vote. He talks about confusion. His party changed the voting system, with the Liberal Democrats, with the police and crime commissioner Act, to first past the post. There was no talk about confusion there. They were the ones that wanted to introduce voter ID. There was no talk about chaos happening at that point.

I'm sure, Cwnsler Cyffredinol, you stayed up late last night to listen to my friend and colleague Sioned Williams on Sharp End. She said, as with the extension of the voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds, people will not be empowered to vote unless they are inspired to vote, and that's so important. I agreed with Darren on that point. It's up to all of us to inspire, but political education is key. Sioned's right. Political education—what role does political education have in all of this?

Like many people, we're knocking doors during election time. You'll have people telling us, 'Oh, well, we only moved in a few months ago, and we haven't registered.' This will solve that issue. What it won't solve is some wards—. And I can take you to some wards in Cardiff, where you go street after street, passing house after house of people not registered. This isn't going to answer that problem, but what we will see in many wards in Cardiff, and I'm sure in Pontypridd, where the voting turnout at the moment is in the early 20s, is the voting turnout will just plummet even further, but at least it will be a true reflection of the number of people voting.

As you said, Cwnsler Cyffredinol, automatic registration is not a new thing. I, in my halls of residence, was automatically registered to vote in England, in their local elections, and I can tell you that's the only election I've never voted for Plaid Cymru. [Laughter.] I won't tell you who I voted for, but that party's never been represented here, and that party supports Welsh independence, so I'll allow you to guess. But it's important that people know that they're registered. How will you tell people that they have been registered? How will the advertisement be paid for? Will it be up to local authorities, yet again, to foot the bill?

When and where will these pilots take place, because you can only do it for local elections and Welsh elections? Well, they are far away, so when will they take place and how quickly will the evaluation be done afterwards?

I am disappointed—. And I will remind Darren Millar of the words of Jesus Christ in the gospel according to Matthew: 'When I was a prisoner, you remembered me, you came to me.' Well, I want to remember the prisoners today. The fact that Darren Millar does not want to include prisoners—. Everybody who lives in this country should be part of civic society, and you should listen, you should listen to the words of your saviour, Jesus Christ, in the New Testament, Darren Millar. Now, I do urge the Welsh Government to put this back on the agenda—something my party and I feel very strongly about.

A couple of technical things to end: what is this electoral management board you mention? Is it the same as the election co-ordination board that the Electoral Commission has been asking about? I noted, right at the end of your statement, that you mentioned merging the independent remuneration panel and the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales. Now, you'll know that the independent remuneration panel deals with levels of payment for elected members of councils, but also the national parks authorities and fire and rescue authorities. What has that got to do with the boundary commission, and how will that impact any boundary reviews when it comes to this place? Diolch yn fawr. And within five minutes. [Laughter.]