Plans for more Senedd members and changes to electoral system

Published

1 year ago

February 13, 2024

PLANS to increase the number of Senedd members and change the electoral system have passed their first hurdle.

MSs agreed the general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) bill, which would expand the Welsh Parliament from 60 to 96 members.

Under the bill, the 32 constituencies that will be used in the next general election would be paired to create 16 for the 2026 Senedd vote – with each returning six members.

Senedd elections would be held every four years under a “closed list” form of proportional representation, which would see people voting for parties rather than specific candidates.

Mick Antoniw, the Welsh Government’s counsel general and constitution minister, stressed compromise is necessary because the bill requires a two-thirds majority to become law.

He argued the proposed closed lists would be simpler than, and superior to, the current additional member system – a mix of proportional representation and first past the post.

“It will improve democracy and ensure every vote counts, it will lead to a Senedd that is far more representative of the people of Wales,” he said.

If passed, the bill would also increase the size of the Welsh Government from 14 to 19, including the first minister, ministers, deputies and the counsel general.

Mr Antoniw rejected two Senedd committees’ calls for the removal of powers in the bill for ministers to further increase this limit to 21 without full legislative scrutiny.

He also rejected calls to reduce a proposed 10% variance in the number of voters in each constituency, which is twice that allowed in Westminster elections.

The member in charge of the bill pointed to the need for “future proofing” and flexibility.

Darren Millar, the Conservatives’ shadow constitution minister, said Wales needs more doctors, nurses, dentists and teachers – not 60% more politicians in the Senedd.

He claimed there is no public mandate as he criticised “woolly” references to Senedd reform in Labour and Plaid Cymru manifestos for the 2021 election.

“No-one mentioned this closed-list voting system that has been proposed,” he said.

“This is a system that amounts to a power grab by political parties, taking power away from the voters and preventing them from being able to vote for a candidate of their choice.”

Mr Millar warned that losing direct accountability between elected representatives and the public they serve would be devastating for Welsh democracy.

Calling for a referendum, he said: “Give the people of Wales the choice on whether to endorse this atrocious system … and I can tell you which fingers they will use to salute you.”

David Rees, who chaired the Senedd reform committee, which produced a stage-one report on the bill, raised concerns about the rejected recommendations

The Aberavon MS stressed the importance of public confidence in the proposed reforms.

Alun Davies, a fellow Labour backbencher, who represents Blaenau Gwent, criticised the Conservatives for failing to oppose more “cronies, donors and hangers on” at Westminster.

Heledd Fychan, for Plaid Cymru, described the bill as a major step forward for Wales, making the Welsh Parliament more effective and representative.

The South Wales Central MS said: “These are ambitious plans … Wales will be the first national legislature in the UK to move away in full from the first-past-the-post system.”

She told MSs that Plaid Cymru also favours STV or a flexible/open-list system but her party’s priority is to ensure a bold package of reforms is in place by 2026.

Adam Price urged MSs to grasp the opportunity – pointing out that progress can be painfully slow in Wales, with various commissions and panels since the Kilbrandon report in 1973.

The former Plaid Cymru leader argued that the Senedd is underpowered, raising the example of only one private member’s bill being passed in the past eight years.

Mike Hedges, a Labour backbencher who represents Swansea East, called for further consultation on the electoral system as the bill moves forward.

Raising concerns about the size of constituencies, particularly any that’s paired with the new Brecon seat, he argued the Senedd and UK Parliament should use the same boundaries.

Tom Giffard, a Conservative, warned the reforms risk eroding the link between the public and their representatives, making Wales less democratic.

The South Wales West MS said: “If we vote for more politicians without asking the people’s permission, all we’ll do is create the impression that this isn’t a parliament for them.”

The Conservatives’ Natasha Asghar described Senedd reforms as a vanity project, suggesting the money would be better spent on 150 consultants to ease waiting times.

Challenged about where the extra doctors would come from, the South Wales East MS said: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way – if you’ve got the money, anything’s possible.”

Jane Dodds, the Lib Dems’ leader in Wales, described the bill as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise democracy but said the current proposals “fall far, far short”.

Ms Dodds argued the proposed closed list system would be a profound and lasting mistake, saying: “I have not heard a single reason why this represents a necessary compromise.”

With no plans for by-elections in future, James Evans, the Conservative MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, raised the risk of vacant seats leading to political paralysis in the Senedd.

Closing the debate, Mr Antoniw said the bill is an investment in democracy and 0.07% of the budget is a price worth paying.

MSs backed the proposals 39-14 in the vote on January 30. The bill now moves to stage two, which will see a committee of the whole Senedd consider amendments.

Port issue warning over damage to Milford Beach access route

Published

2 hours ago

February 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT of Milford Haven has issued a warning regarding a wall collapse on the hot water slip access to Milford Beach.

Residents and visitors are urged to stay clear of the affected area and avoid using this access route while investigations and repairs are carried out.

Please share this message to help ensure public safety.

Thank you.

The Sea Empress Disaster: Remembering the catastrophe 29 years on

Published

3 hours ago

February 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

IT WAS exactly 29 years ago. On the evening of February 15, 1996, at approximately 8:07pm, the oil tanker Sea Empress ran aground on rocks near St. Ann’s Head at the entrance to the Milford Haven Waterway in Pembrokeshire. The vessel, en route to the Texaco oil refinery in Milford Haven, was carrying over 130,000 tonnes of Forties blend crude oil. The incident led to one of Britain’s worst environmental disasters.

A catastrophic collision

As the Sea Empress navigated the narrow channel against an outgoing tide, strong currents pushed the vessel off course, causing it to collide with mid-channel rocks. The initial impact released approximately 2,500 tonnes of crude oil into the sea. Over the next six days, severe weather conditions and missteps in salvage operations hindered efforts to refloat and stabilize the tanker. The vessel grounded and refloated multiple times, ultimately spilling around 72,000 tonnes of crude oil and 370 tonnes of heavy fuel oil into the surrounding waters.

Environmental devastation

The spill had catastrophic consequences, particularly for the ecologically sensitive Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. More than 200 kilometers of coastline were contaminated, impacting numerous habitats and species.

Wildlife impact

Though the spill occurred in late winter before many migratory species had returned, resident wildlife suffered extensively. Thousands of seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills, and the common scoter duck, were found dead or severely oiled. Estimates suggest that approximately 5,000 of the 15,000 common scoters in the area perished.

Marine life was also heavily affected. Intertidal species such as seaweeds, invertebrates, and rock pool fish experienced significant mortality. Grey seals inhabit the region, but their population suffered minimal direct impact due to the timing of the spill.

Economic and social repercussions

The disaster had profound economic consequences for local communities. A fishing ban was promptly imposed along the affected coastlines, suspending operations for fisheries targeting species like shellfish and lobsters. The ban lasted several months, resulting in substantial financial losses. While compensation schemes were introduced, many affected individuals felt the payouts were insufficient.

Tourism, a vital part of Pembrokeshire’s economy, also suffered. The spill occurred just before the Easter holiday season, leading to mass cancellations and a decline in visitor numbers. Popular beaches were covered in oil deposits, deterring tourists and impacting businesses reliant on seasonal trade.

Mobilization of cleanup efforts

In response to the crisis, a massive cleanup operation was launched, involving over a thousand individuals, including local volunteers, environmental organizations, and government agencies. The immediate priority was rescuing and rehabilitating oiled wildlife. Specialized facilities were established to clean affected birds, though survival rates post-release remained low.

Shoreline cleanup efforts presented significant challenges. Teams employed various methods, including manual oil removal and chemical dispersants designed to break down the crude. While dispersants proved effective in some cases, concerns arose about their long-term environmental impact. Most visible oil was removed from beaches within six weeks, but cleanup efforts in remote areas continued for over a year.

Investigations and accountability

Subsequent investigations identified pilot error as a primary cause, with misjudgments regarding tidal streams and currents leading to the initial grounding. The report also highlighted deficiencies in the port’s navigational aids and emergency response protocols. As a result, the Milford Haven Port Authority faced scrutiny and was fined £4 million for its role in the disaster.

Long-term environmental recovery

Monitoring of the affected areas revealed that natural recovery was underway, aided by the region’s dynamic tidal systems. By 2001, studies indicated significant habitat restoration. However, certain species, particularly those with longer lifespans and slower reproductive rates, continued to show reduced population numbers, underscoring the prolonged effects of oil spills on biodiversity.

Lessons learned

The Sea Empress disaster prompted significant reforms in maritime safety and environmental protection within the UK, including:

Enhanced Navigational Protocols: Improved pilot training and navigational aids to prevent future groundings.
Regulatory Changes: Introduction of the Port Marine Safety Code, establishing national port safety standards.
Environmental Safeguards: Strengthened oil spill contingency plans and increased investment in spill response technologies.

The Sea Empress disaster remains a stark reminder of the fragile balance between industrial activities and environmental preservation. It underscores the need for stringent safety measures, rigorous regulatory oversight, and proactive environmental protection to prevent similar catastrophes in the future.

Entertainment

Foreigner in My Body – Workshop and show

Published

16 hours ago

February 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

HOW we see ourselves isn’t always how others see us. Join movement artist Sara Hartel in a workshop that explores the tension between identity and perception here at the Torch Theatre this Wednesday followed by a work in progress show on Thursday with Foreigner in My Body.

The evening workshop will give you an opportunity to learn how to creatively use audio description in a safe, nurturing environment which gives you space to explore the role gender plays in how we move, and how others see the way we move, through the creation of a piece of movement.

The show itself, Foreigner in My Body, is a work in progress show exploring the transgender journey through the lens of crossing borders. It blends circus, physical theatre and storytelling with malicious audio description. A story of rebellion and trans joy. Think of the burlesque of airport security, the luggage carousel of emotional baggage and a plane crash on aerial silks.

The workshop will be held on Wednesday 12 February at 7pm and the show on Thursday 13 February at 7pm. Both the workshop and show are suitable for those 14+. Anyone who attends the workshop can go the performance for FREE too!

Tickets for Foreigner in My Body are priced at £5.00. Visit the website for further details on www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267.