THE SENEDD will today debate a “historic, world-leading” plan to ban lying politicians amid claims members have been given “erroneous” legal advice ahead of the crunch vote.

Adam Price’s plan would make it a criminal offence for Senedd members, ministers or candidates to deliberately deceive the public, with a four-year disqualification as punishment.

The Plaid Cymru politician’s proposed ban was added to the elections bill, under clause 64, after Labour backbencher Lee Waters abstained in a vote during an earlier committee stage.

Now, the Welsh Government has introduced an amendment to delete clause 64, which will be subject to a vote of the whole Senedd – the final opportunity to change the bill.

Activists and legal experts have accused Mick Antoniw, the counsel general, of making “legal and factual errors” in letters to Senedd members, which urged them to resist change.

Speaking on the eve of the vote, Mr Price, who represents Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, urged his fellow Senedd members to act.

He said: “Trust in politics is at an all-time low and the existing solutions – standards committees, standards commissioners and recall – have failed to solve that problem.

“So, it’s time to do something different. 

“If the three opposition parties stay united and independent-minded Labour members join us then we have the chance to start to rebuild that trust.”

Mr Price, who led a campaign to impeach former prime minister Tony Blair for “duping” the UK into the Iraq war, added: “Winning is the next step in this process – not the end, however. 

“We hope the government will then shift from defending an old system that isn’t working to helping us design and build a new one together that will.”

In a letter to members, Mick Antoniw, who is the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser, raised concerns the bill could have profound, unintended consequences.

Describing the proposals as “unworkable” and lacking consultation, he warned clause 64 could stifle political debate and undermine effective scrutiny of government.

Mr Antoniw wrote: “While the underlying intentions behind the provision seem morally right, the proposed new crime represents a radical departure from modern constitutional norms in this country that has the potential to do much more harm than good.

“I do not overstate my concerns by highlighting that it is the kind of criminal law that was used as a tool to suppress dissent in the distant past in this country, is still used for that purpose in other countries today.

“And I worry that the good intentions that lie behind this provision could be abused in that way again here under different political circumstances.”

Mr Antoniw suggested the bill could be referred to the Supreme Court or prevented from receiving royal assent by the Welsh secretary.

Sam Fowles, of Cornerstone Barristers, who has provided free advice to Mr Price, criticised “legal and factual errors” in the counsel general’s advice to members.

Dr Fowles claimed Mr Antoniw was wrong to say the bill would restrict freedom of speech and that issues of honesty cannot be adjudicated on by the courts.

He said: “[The law] does not impose any restriction on the freedom of speech of Senedd members beyond that already in place. It is surprising the counsel general implies otherwise.

“The counsel general’s scepticism as to the ability to distinguish between fact and opinion is at odds with the day-to-day reality of public discourse as well as law.”

In a follow-up letter to MSs, the barrister, who is director of the Institute for Constitutional and Democratic Research, argued that freedom of speech has never implied a freedom to lie.

Dr Fowles, who was involved in high-profile cases around the post office and prorogation of the UK Parliament, said clause 64 would make it easier to regulate deliberate deception.

Jennifer Nadel, co-director of Compassion in Politics, a cross-party think tank, called for decisive action at a dangerous time, “with a Putin apologist set to enter parliament”.

She said: “Sadly those who are perhaps concerned that the tradition of gentlemen’s agreements is about to be replaced by something altogether more transparent and accountable have made erroneous arguments in defence of the status quo.

“It is clear that something bolder and more courageous is needed to restore trust in politics.

“Honesty matters to the public and they want to see clear independent action, not politicians continuing to police themselves.

“They are on the wrong side of history. This bill is supported by the vast majority of the population. I am hopeful that Wales will do something truly historic and back this bill and let truth and integrity prevail.”

The author and award-winning journalist accused Douglas Bain, the Senedd’s standards commissioner, of being out of touch with public opinion.

Giving evidence on Monday, July 1, Mr Bain criticised clause 64, describing its drafting as “clumsy at best” before adding “and I think that’s being rather generous”.

Ms Nadel said: “We are gravely concerned that the commissioner doesn’t appear to appreciate the gravity of the situation or the loss of public confidence in existing measures.

“His inability to see why the measure is needed makes the case for reform all the stronger.”

Dr Fowles also hit back at Mr Bain’s comments, saying: “The Senedd standards commissioner seemed to call political lying ‘a problem that isn’t really there’.

“Only 9% of the public trust politicians to tell the truth. It’s not a problem, it’s a crisis. The commissioner should take 91% of the public more seriously.”

Richard Symons, director of the Ministry of Truth – a BBC documentary on political lying – was followed by cameras on his campaign to persuade MPs to back a ban in 2007.

Mr Price, then a member of the House of Commons, agreed, proposing a “Misrepresentation of the People Act” which ultimately failed to make it onto the statute book.

But now, 17 years on, the pair are closer than ever to changing the law.

Mr Symons pointed to December’s Ipsos poll which found trust in politicians has fallen below a low set amid the expenses scandal, with trust in ministers at its lowest since the early ’90s.

The filmmaker said: “In other words, the existing mechanisms and those introduced after 2009 have brought only further decline. Nothing more.

“We don’t have a mechanism to engender public trust, we have mechanisms which erode it. Both the standards commissioner and the Labour government seem blind to this.”

UNPAID carers have the power to swing 185 constituencies at the General Election, charity Carers Trust warns

Analysis from UK charity Carers Trust shows there are enough unpaid carers in 185 constituencies to potentially swing each of those seats at this week’s General Election, including in Mid and South Pembrokeshire.

There are 185 seats in England and Wales where the number of carers is higher than the current MP’s majority. They include many seats held by key figures in all parties. Amon them are the Conservatives’ former leader Iain Duncan Smith and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Deputy Leader Angela Rayner, and Lib Dems Daisy Cooper and Tim Farron.

In the new Mid & South Pembrokeshire constituency there are 10,222 carers and Stephen Crabb’s majority at the last election in 2019 was 8621, although remember at the last election we had the differently configured seat of Preseli Pembrokeshire.

A total of 96 constituencies currently held by the Conservatives could be swung by carer votes. This includes Chingford and Woodford Green where Iain Duncan Smith has a 1,604 majority in a seat with 8,225 carers. Alex Chalk’s 1,421 majority in Cheltenham could also face a threat from 6,871 carers.

In all, 83 Labour-held constituencies could see their majority overturned by carer votes. Angela Rayner has a 4,689 vote majority in Ashton-under-Lyne, a constituency of 8,517 carers. Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves is contesting the new seat of Leeds West and Pudsey which has 7,783 carers and an estimated 2019 majority of 2,963.

Carers Trust has warned that, although there are an estimated seven million unpaid carers in the UK, they have been largely ignored by most political parties during the election campaign. Many carers are looking after ill or disabled family and friends because of the crisis facing social care. Yet the social care system has also been largely absent from election debates so far. If parties are serious about tackling the social care crisis, they will need support from unpaid carers. In return, those carers need more support themselves.

Dominic Carter, Carers Trust’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs, said: “Many carers have been plunged into pverty because of their caring role and are picking up the pieces left by a social care system that’s been starved of investment. These figures show that, although carers have been largely ignored this election, they have the power to swing huge numbers of seats across the country on July 4.

“At Carers Trust we are calling on all parties to make sure carers are no longer pushed to breaking point and are properly supported, including overhauling Carer’s Allowance – the lowest benefit of its kind. It’s not too late for parliamentary candidates to start listening to those calls. If they don’t, they could be punished at the ballot box.”

The largest majority under threat from carer power is Blackpool North and Fleetwood, where the Conservatives’ 10,119 majority for Paul Maynard could be wiped out by 10,233 carers. Seats with majorities of over 8,500 like Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, Harrow East, Enfield North and Pontypridd are also at risk if carers vote against the incumbent.

Elsewhere, carer votes could also make the difference in marginals like Burnley, Leigh & Atherton and Wimbledon.

More than 1.5 million people in England and Wales provide at least 50 hours of care a week, with huge implications for their finances, health and future prospects. A survey by Carers Trust last year found just 55% of carers say they get the support they need, while 41% said the time they spent caring has increased. Despite this, there has not been a UK Government plan for carers since 2020 and the last cross-government Carers Strategy expired six years ago.

Carer power: The 10 biggest majorities at risk from carer votes

Seat

2019 majority

Number of carers

Incumbent MP

Party

Blackpool North and Fleetwood

10119

10233

Paul Maynard

Conservative

Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe

9091

9677

Fay Jones (Brecon and Radnorshire)

Conservative

Harrow East

8987

9219

Bob Blackman

Conservative

Enfield North

8853

9258

Feryal Clark

Labour

Pontypridd

8798

9944

Alex Davies-Jones

Labour

Corby and East Northamptonshire

8676

8895

Tom Pursglove (Corby)

Conservative

Mid and South Pembrokeshire

8621

10222

Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire

Conservative

Taunton and Wellington

8536

8763

Rebecca Pow (Taunton Deane)

Conservative

South Ribble

8515

8664

Katherine Fletcher

Conservative

Neath and Swansea East

8451

10961

Christina Rees (Neath)

Labour

CAMPAIGNERS fighting against proposals to build a DARC space radar facility at Brawdy have expressed their concerns at a lack of response from both Labour and the Conservatives after quizzing all candidates for their position.

The UK/US military plans for a 27-dish Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC) at Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy is part of AUKUS, a three-way security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to build three DARC radar installations around the world, one in each of the three countries.

The radars would track foreign countries’ communications and military satellites in space, so that British, US and Australian aircraft could then destroy them with anti-satellite missiles at will.

A scoping report was submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council early last year, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which said the United States Space Force (USSF)-led DARC would track active satellites above the Earth.

Late last year, Cawdor Barrack was identified as the preferred UK site by the-then UK Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps.

Following a packed public launch meeting at Solva Memorial on June 27 with hundreds in attendance the newly launched PARC (Pembrokeshire Against Radar Campaign) Against DARC campaign issued a public challenge to all 15 candidates standing in both Mid and South Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion Preseli.

PARC asked the candidates: “Where do you stand on DARC Radar at Brawdy?”.

PARC has said that “only the Labour and Tory candidates remain silent on this issue”.

Campaigner Jim Scott said: “This isn’t a difficult issue to formulate a position on, we have had responses now from all other parties spanning across the political spectrum. The silence is now deafening, especially from the Labour candidate Henry Tufnell who polls suggest will beat Stephen Crabb in the Mid and South Pembrokeshire seat.

“The new Ceredigion Preseli constituency boundary also falls within a mile of the proposed site at Brawdy so this issue will affect both Pembrokeshire constituencies equally.

“We know from the responses we’ve received from all the other parties that they all have grave concerns about this proposed development, for example, Cris Tomos who’s standing for Plaid Cymru in Mid and South, has told us that he wishes to help build the case for DARC to be taken to a high court hearing, The Greens are also vociferously against it.”

He added: “All the information is on our website for candidates to educate themselves on the issue so why is Labour who are expected to win the General Election remaining silent? They are duty bound to disclose to their prospective voters where they stand on this before polling day rather than waiting till afterwards to reveal their Party’s position. The silence is so deafening now that it’s almost like they’ve been told to ‘keep quiet on DARC’.”

Responses either in support of the campaign or raising concerns about the proposals have been received from both Plaid Cymru candidates, Liberal Democrat Mark Williams, Taghrid Al-Mawed of the Workers Party, Stuart Marchant of Reform, and both Green Party candidates, DARC has said.

Labour candidate Henry Tufnell said: “On the DARC issue, we are currently awaiting the environmental impact assessment and town planning application. I have raised the concerns of local residents with Labour’s shadow defence policy team.

“I understand that the site is of significant concern for local residents and it is important that their views are represented throughout the process.”

Fellow candidate Jackie Jones said her response aligns with Mr Tufnell’s

Conservative candidates Aled Thomas and Stephen Crabb have been contacted for a response.