Hain plans assembly vote change

14 July 2011 Last updated at 09:23 GMT Peter Hain says the current two-tier voting system should be changed Shadow Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has called for a first-past-the-post voting system in assembly elections.

Labour will push for the change if the boundaries of Westminster seats are re-draw.

The proposal would scrap the assembly's part-proportional voting system and create 30 two-members constituencies.

Mr Hain, who campaigned for the alternative vote in Westminster general elections at May's referndum, is hoping for cross-party support for the idea.

He will meet Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan on Thursday to discuss the plans.

The assembly's current electoral system sees 40 constituency members elected by first-past-the-post and 20 elected from regional lists.

The Wales Office told the Commons' Welsh Affairs Select Committee it is looking at how parliamentary boundary changes may affect assembly boundaries but stressed that the work is at a very early stage.

"As we've seen in Scotland, when you separate assembly seats from parliamentary seats, it creates a great deal of confusion for voters, for parties and for the wider public," said Neath MP Mr Hain.

"If that happened in Wales, you would be likely to have a situation where one assembly seat straddled three parliamentary seats, which leads to confusion for voters, political parties and their representatives.

Manifesto commitment

"I think everybody accepts there has to be change.

"There's a total agreement on this and we need to do it in a way that is non-tribal, crosses parties and seats to build consensus which I hope Cheryl Gillan does."

Mr Hain pointed out that May's referendum vote on a change from first-past-the-post to an alternative vote for Westminster general elections received a resounding no, which could clear the way for change in Wales. Mr Hain campaigned for a Yes vote in the referendum.

"The only acceptable option given the AV referendum result is to have all AMs elected by first-past-the-post, and we believe that each of the 30 new constituencies should elect two AMs by that system," he added.

"I think in retrospect we have to accept that we got it wrong when we set up the assembly with a two-tier electoral system that has two kinds of AM, and it should now be changed.

"We believe the only change that would be possible without a further referendum or general election manifesto commitment is a change to first past the post.

'Self interest'

"The case for AV at Westminster level was defeated by a thumping majority for first-past-the-post. This is the only voting system that commands cross-party and public support in Wales."

Mr Hain denied that the proposal was a bid to strengthen Labour's grip in Wales. The party is running the Welsh Government single-handedly after winning half the seats in the Senedd at May's assembly elections.

He said: "In the end it's not about who wins and who loses, it's about accepting the verdict of the electorate and they were clear in this referendum."

But former Plaid Cymru AM Helen Mary Jones claimed the plans were "self interest".

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If you go to a first-past-the-post system, we all know that you can get governments elected with overall majorities on less than a third of the votes”

End Quote Helen Mary Jones Plaid Cymru "This is party political motivated and to be completely honest, he should be ashamed of himself and if Carwyn Jones and the Labour AMs are backing him in this, then I think it's really disappointing," she said.

"If you go to a first-past-the-post system, we all know that you can get governments elected with overall majorities on less than a third of the votes.

"I don't think that's fair and I don't think the majority of the Welsh people would think that's fair.

"I think there is an argument for seats having the same boundaries... but it doesn't mean you have to go for the same voting system where the votes of two-thirds of the voters very often don't count for anything.

"If we are going to change the system and go for the seats having at Westminster having the same pattern as the seats at the assembly, there is an alternative to what Peter Hain is suggesting.

"You have 30 first-past-the-post constituencies and 30 list seats which would make the current system fairer and more proportional."

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Davies named Tory assembly leader

14 July 2011 Last updated at 15:12 GMT Andrew RT Davies beat rival Nick Ramsay with 53.1% of the votes cast by party members.

The Conservatives have chosen Andrew RT Davies as their leader in the Welsh assembly.

Mr Davies beat rival Nick Ramsay with 53.1% of the votes in a party election which had a 49% turnout.

The South Wales Central assembly member urged his party to offer a "real alternative to the failed Labour ideology in Wales".

Prime Minister David Cameron said the Tories' 14-strong group must offer a "strong Conservative voice for Wales."

The contest was called after former Tory group leader Nick Bourne lost his seat in May's assembly election.

The result was declared at 1445 BST, nearly two hours later than expected, and Mr Davies spoke to the Prime Minister shortly after.

Mr Cameron said: "I want to congratulate Andrew on his election as the leader of our party in the Welsh Assembly.

"Under Labour, Wales has become the poorest part of the UK, its education system is failing a generation and now Labour are making cuts of ?1billion to the NHS.

"We must now offer a strong Conservative voice for Wales and I look forward to working closely with Andrew to deliver this and realise our strong ambitions for Wales."

Mr Davies paid tribute to both Monmouth AM Mr Ramsay, who won 46.7% of the vote, and Mr Bourne in his acceptance speech at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff.

Mr Davies said he had been handed a "great responsibility".

"Wales runs through my DNA," he said.

"I'm a proud Welshman and a proud unionist and I feel bitterly disappointed when I look at the league tables on health, economic performance and education, and we see Wales propping those tables up, rather than leading from the top."

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We will be inspiring the people of Wales to reach for those heights that I know our communities can go for”

End Quote Andrew RT Davies AM Newly-elected Conseravtive leader in the assembly He added: "Above all, we will be inspiring the people of Wales to reach for those heights that I know our communities can go for."

Mr Davies praised the leadership of Mr Bourne, thanked his family for their support and paid tribute to Mr Ramsay.

"Ideologically there's not much difference between us and that stands us in good stead as a party," he said.

Offering his congratulations, Mr Ramsay said the new leader had his full support.

"This is now about taking the fight to Labour and taking the fight to Carwyn (Jones, First Minister).

"Let's fight for the next few years in advance of those assembly elections."

He added that the leadership election had gone "right down to the wire".

Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan congratulated both Andrew Davies and Nick Ramsay on how they conducted their campaigns.

'Weight of responsibility'

"This result marks the start of a new chapter for the Welsh Conservatives in the assembly and I look forward to working with Andrew in the years ahead," she said.

Continue reading the main story Born Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan 1968, aged 43Married with four childrenEducated at Llanfair Primary School and St John'sBecame a partner in the family farm and is former Welsh delegate on the NFU councilJoined the Welsh Conservative Party in 1997, stood general election candidate in 2001 and 2005First election to assembly in 2007Served as party spokesman on health, education and transportHobbies include swimming, farming and spending time with his family"I know he realises the weight of responsibility he carries in holding the Labour-led Welsh Government to account, and in ensuring it pursues the right course towards building a stronger economy, providing better services, and offering greater opportunities for everyone in Wales.

"There is much to be done. And by working with colleagues at Westminster, in Europe and in local government we can all ensure further success for our party in Wales."

Mr Davies has been an AM since 2007 and sparked speculation about his ambitions when he suddenly stood down as the party's shadow health minister in November 2010.

The assembly's Liberal Democrat leader, Kirsty Williams, said: "I'd like to congratulate Andrew on his success on being elected leader of the Conservative group in the National Assembly.

"I look forward to working with him and other party leaders on furthering devolution for the people of Wales."

Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones also congratulated Mr Davies, adding: "With many significant challenges ahead for Wales, particularly over ensuring fair funding and further constitutional advances for our nation, I sincerely hope that he will use his new role to try to influence the Conservative party leadership in Westminster to act in the best interests of Wales."

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