6. Motion to amend Standing Orders — Proxy voting

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:07 pm on 29 March 2023.

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Photo of Jane Dodds Jane Dodds Liberal Democrat 4:07, 29 March 2023

I am a member of the Business Committee, and we have rehearsed these issues before, including Darren Millar's position that the pairing system actually fulfils the issues we're trying to address. It doesn't address or fulfil those issues for somebody like myself, who is a sole Member. I cannot pair with another Member for a long period of time, because there will be different times for different votes. So, it doesn't work for sole Members, and, going forward, in an expanded Senedd, we may have further sole Members. Therefore, I fully support this proposal. It is bringing us into the twenty-first century. It will make sure that people who are carers, who are parents, who are parents to be, and those suffering from ill health, have the opportunity to have time from the Senedd when they don't need to worry about representation or about the business of the Senedd. And that's what a compassionate, caring Parliament should be about. So, I welcome this proposal. It is about a modern Senedd, and I urge you all to support the Business Committee's proposal here today. Diolch yn fawr iawn.