– in the Senedd at 6:07 pm on 7 March 2023.
We move now to group 5. The fifth group of amendments relates to political affiliation. The lead amendment in the group is amendment 30, and I call on Joel James to move and speak to the lead amendment, and to the other amendment in the group. Joel James.
Thank you, Llywydd, and I will speak to my amendments. For the purpose of strengthening transparency and accountability, it is entirely appropriate, in my mind, that those trade unions who have elected members onto the SPC are asked to declare as part of the council proceedings whether or not they're affiliated with a political party. This amendment does not breach any confidentiality and will ensure that the SPC meetings are fully transparent. This is, after all, one of the key policies that the trade unions have repeatedly called for. Thank you.
The Deputy Minister to contribute—Hannah Blythyn.
Diolch. These amendments would require worker representatives appointed to the social partnership council to declare whether the trade union they are a member of is affiliated to a political party. I note that Joel James's amendment is only seeking to apply this requirement to worker representatives. This is unnecessary, as trade unions' political affiliations are public and well known, as Joel James very regularly likes to refer to in this Siambr. The SPC is not intended to be a political forum. Rather, it is a mechanism for bringing together Welsh Government and social partners in support of the duties set out in the Bill and, more widely, our shared well-being goals in the interests of Wales. Therefore, I very much ask Members to resist amendments 30 and 41.
Joel James to respond.
Thank you, Llywydd, and I'm not surprised that the Deputy Minister's yet again rejected my amendment. It's clear that the Deputy Minister and the Welsh Government are not open to any transparency whatsoever and it is becoming very obvious that the Welsh Government wants the SPC to not have any independence of thought whatsoever. Indeed, the Welsh Government want it to be a closed group that may well have the appearance of an advisory council, but will ultimately be nothing more than a lickspittle for the establishment, telling the Government only what it wants to hear and to offer as little scrutiny as possible. Thank you.
The question is that amendment 30 be agreed to. Does any Member object? [Objection.] There is objection. We will therefore move to a vote on amendment 30. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 41 against. Therefore, amendment 30 is not agreed.
Amendment 31.
Is it being moved?
Yes, it's been moved by Joel James. Is there any objection to amendment 31? [Objection.] There is objection. Open the vote on amendment 31. Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 41 against. Therefore, amendment 31 is not agreed.
Amendment 32—
—being moved, Joel James?
It is. Is there any objection to amendment 32? [Objection.] Yes, there is. We will therefore proceed to a vote on amendment 32. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 41 against. Therefore, amendment 32 is not agreed.
Amendment 33, Joel James.
Yes, being moved.
The question is that amendment 33 be agreed to. Does any Member object? [Objection.] There is objection. We will therefore move to a vote on amendment 33. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 41 against. Therefore, amendment 33 is not agreed.
Amendment 34.
Joel James, is it being moved?
It is. Is there any objection to amendment 34? [Objection.] There is. We will therefore proceed to a vote. Open the vote on amendment 34. In favour 15, no abstentions, 41 against. Therefore, amendment 34 is not agreed.
Amendment 35.
Joel James, is it being moved?
Yes, amendment 35 is moved. Is there any objection? [Objection.] There is. Therefore, we will proceed to a vote on amendment 35. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 41 against. Therefore, amendment 35 is not agreed.
Amendment 36.
Is it being moved, Joel James?
It is. Is there any objection to amendment 36? [Objection.] There is. We'll proceed to a vote on amendment 36. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 41 against. Therefore, amendment 36 is not agreed.
Amendment 37, Joel James.
Yes, being moved.
Any objection to amendment 37? [Objection.] There is. We will therefore move to a vote on amendment 37. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 41 against. Therefore, amendment 37 is not agreed.
Amendment 38.
Joel James—being moved?
The question is that amendment 38 be agreed. Does any Member object? [Objection.] There is objection. We will therefore move to a vote on amendment 38. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 41 against. Therefore, amendment 38 is not agreed.