Politics

Disqualifying dishonest politicians ‘disproportionate and dangerous’

Published

2 months ago

November 26, 2024

DRAWING the courts into determining whether to disqualify dishonest politicians from the Senedd would be disproportionate and potentially dangerous, a committee heard.

Azzurra Moores, policy lead at Full Fact, an independent fact-checking organisation, warned of political point scoring as she gave evidence to an inquiry on Monday November 25.

The Senedd’s standards committee is weighing up three options: creating a criminal offence of deception, a civil offence, or strengthening existing internal systems and sanctions.

Ms Moores recognised the need to shine a light on dishonesty and deception in politics but cautioned that involving the courts would do more damage than good.

She told the committee: “We are quite concerned that co-opting the criminal justice system to determine the truth and the accuracy of statements would be disproportionate and potentially dangerous, partly because we don’t think it’ll work in practice.”

Tom Brake, director of pressure group Unlock Democracy, said trust in politics has been on a downward trend for years, with a tendency to overpromise and underdeliver.

But the former Liberal Democrat MP said: “We do have concerns about the idea of creating a criminal or civil offence of deception … particularly around vexatious complaints.”

Mr Brake raised the risk of a repeat of headlines such as “Enemies of the people” in the Daily Mail after judges ruled the UK Government needed Parliament’s consent on Brexit.

He told the committee: “There are certain politicians who will use this to their advantage in terms of referring to political interference by judges.”

Responding to concerns about politicians marking their own homework, Mr Brake supported calls for lay members on the committee that considers complaints against Senedd members.

Labour’s Lee Waters said the current standards system has failed to arrest a decline in trust, questioning whether continued tweaks are the right response to a growing problem.

Mr Brake argued the system works in some ways as he pointed out that Boris Johnson stood down in the face of a privileges committee report over Partygate.

The former deputy leader of the House of Commons also raised examples of leaflets claiming “waiting times at record highs” and “Liberal Democrats’ best election results”.

He said: “I’m not only concerned about vexatious complaints … but I’m also concerned about what would appear to be ‘legitimate’ complaints about statements that I suspect every single politician on this call has published in one or other of their leaflets.”

Mr Brake expressed concerns about the implications for parliamentary privilege which affords MPs immunity from legal challenge, allowing them to speak freely in parliament. In the Senedd, privilege is limited to defamation and contempt rather than “absolute”.

Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price, who has led calls to create an offence, said parliamentary autonomy should be subject to external accountability in some circumstances.

He pointed to the Hillsborough law, which would make it an offence for civil servants to intentionally mislead the public, arguing the same principle should apply to elected officials.

Sam Fowles, director of the Institute for Constitutional and Democratic Research (ICDR), countered critiques of a model the think tank proposed to the committee.

Dr Fowles warned self-policing of parliaments has failed, with public trust in politics declining to historic lows, describing the courts as an independent and trusted alternative.

The barrister said the ICDR’s model contains strong safeguards, including a criminal offence of making a vexatious claim acting as a deterrent and an opportunity to correct the record.

Jennifer Nadel, co-director of Compassion in Politics, raised the cross-party think tank’s petition, which has been signed by 200,000 people, calling for a law on politicians lying.

She warned the world is at a dangerous moment, with the rise of populist leaders in Europe and the election of US president Donald Trump, “who has no compunction about lying”.

Ms Nadel told the committee: “I think we have a very small window to try to shore up our democracy against the impact of deliberate disinformation by political leaders.”

The former barrister said politicians have lower levels of trust than any other profession, with only 9% of the public believing what politicians say in the latest Ipsos “veracity index” survey.

Cautioning against “rearranging the deck chairs”, Ms Nadel stressed: “Politics needs to visibly take action to show it’s cleaning up its act, so that it can begin to restore trust.”

News

Open day at new St Davids housing development

Published

13 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is celebrating the completion of Phase 1 Llys Glasfryn, St Davids.

The development was built by GRD Homes, and Phase 1 consists of 4 x 2 bed bungalows, and 3 x 1 bed bungalows.

Phase 2 consists of 11 x 2 bed bungalows, which it is hoped will be completed early 2026.

All properties within Phase 1 have been allocated, and Phase 2 properties will be available for bidding a few months before completion.

A Local Lettings Policy is used to allocate these properties, which was created in conjunction with local members, St Davids City Council, and the local community.

To celebrate the completion of Phase 1, Pembrokeshire County Council is holding an open day in one of the newly completed properties.

This will be held on Tuesday 28^th January 2025, from 2pm – 6pm. This is for members of the public to view the site and one of the properties, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing Operations, said: “These high quality homes will provide much needed housing in St Davids and form part of our wider development programme.

“Increasing the supply of affordable housing is a key priority for Cabinet and I look forward to meeting new tenants and the wider community at the open day event.”

For more information on Pembrokeshire County Council’s housing developments, or this event, please call 01437 764551, or email [email protected]

News

Welsh Conservatives mark Holocaust Memorial Day

Published

17 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY is a time for reflection and remembrance. It allows us to honour those who suffered and renew our commitment to combating hatred and prejudice in all its forms.

Reflecting on the day, Welsh Conservative Leader Darren Millar MS, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day serves as a solemn reminder of the unimaginable suffering endured by millions during the Holocaust. It is a day to honour the memory of those who were murdered and to reflect on the persecution faced by Jewish people, Gypsies, Roma, disabled individuals, and members of the LGBT community.

“By hearing the voices of survivors and acknowledging this dark chapter in history, we strengthen our commitment to building a world that rejects hate and discrimination in all its forms.

“Eighty years after the liberation of the concentration camps, I urge everyone in Wales to take time today to reflect on these lessons, stand firmly against antisemitism, and challenge racism wherever it persists.”

Also Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Equalities, Dr. Altaf Hussain MS, said:“We cannot forget the unimaginable horrors that millions of people faced during the Holocaust. Tragically, the scourge of genocide continues to plague humanity.

“The millions of Jews, Roma, disabled individuals, and members of the LGBT community persecuted by this evil regime deserve to have their stories preserved as a timeless lesson for us all.

“It has been eighty years since the liberation of the concentration camps and now more than ever we must deeply reflect on the powerful accounts shared with us by the remaining survivors. May their bravery and commitment to speaking out against the horrors committed during the Holocaust continue to inspire the change we need, so that we may all live in society that is fully respectful of people’s religion, race, gender and sexual orientation.”

News

Joyce Watson MS announces decision not to seek reselection

Published

2 days ago

January 26, 2025

Tom Sinclair

JOYCE WATSON MS, Labour Senedd Member for Mid and West Wales, has announced her decision not to stand in the next Senedd Election.

In a statement issued on Friday (Jan 24), Ms Watson said: “I have taken the very difficult decision to not stand as a candidate at next year’s Senedd Election.

“Serving the Labour Party has been the privilege of my life. To do so representing Mid and West Wales has been an incredible honour. I must thank all the people I have met and worked with on issues and campaigns across the years, and thank Labour members and colleagues for their trust and support.”

Reflecting on her personal journey, Ms Watson shared her roots in Tywyn, Manorbier, Cosheston, and Cardigan, where she grew up as one of eight children. After raising her family across the region, she settled in Pembrokeshire.
“I never dreamed that one day I would be elected to serve the people and places I know and love so well,” she said.

Throughout her tenure, Ms Watson focused on making a tangible impact. She highlighted her work addressing human trafficking, advocating for the construction industry, and representing the Senedd on international platforms, including Europe and the Commonwealth. She also established the White Ribbon campaign against domestic violence in Wales.

“Since I was first elected, our young democracy has grown in strength and confidence. The next election, under new rules and boundaries, will be transformative,” she said.

Ms Watson explained her decision to step aside, saying:
“It feels like the right time for me to step aside for new candidates, and to devote more time to my wonderful family.”

Looking ahead, she acknowledged the challenges of recent years but reaffirmed her commitment to Labour values:
“The past two decades have brought huge upheavals, at home and abroad, that present us with huge challenges. I remain convinced that the solutions to these problems are more co-operation and social justice, not less. I believe that Labour values are the best path to a fairer future.

“So, although I will be stepping down from the Senedd in May 2026, I will never stop fighting for these ideals.”

Ms Watson’s departure marks the end of a notable career of public service, with her contributions leaving a lasting impact on her constituents and beyond.