Labour Councillors oppose Party’s plans for more Senedd politicians
Bringing 36 more politicians to the Welsh Parliament could cost as much as £17.8m extra a year, new figures suggest.
Documents from Labour ministers have estimated the cost of a bigger Senedd for the first time. Costs could reach £19.5m in 2030, on top of the Senedd’s existing budget of £67m.
Official accounts by Audit Wales last week showed Wales’ seven main health boards recorded a collective deficit of £151.9m in the last financial year – 2022-23. But back in the spring, health boards were already warning the Welsh government that their overspend this year would be much higher at about £650m.
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Commenting on the news that Labour councillors have expressed opposition to the Labour Welsh Government’s plans for Senedd expansion, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for the Constitution and North Wales, Darren Millar MS said:
“Labour councillors from Flintshire are quite right to challenge their own party’s push for a 60% increase in Senedd politicians and changing the voting system for Welsh Parliament elections.
“The people of Wales have not consented to the specific proposals being pursued by Labour Ministers in Cardiff Bay and that is why there must now be a referendum so that voters can have their say.
“While other political parties in the Senedd have signed up to this vanity project, the Welsh Conservatives will continue to oppose this colossal waste of £120 million of taxpayers’ money.”
At the Flintshire Council meeting, Labour councillors spoke out against their party and Plaid Cymru’s plans to expand the Senedd.
Cllr Bibby, who felt the issue should be put to a referendum, said: “Given the current mood music of the financial situation we find ourselves in, members of the public may be asking a very valid question – is this the right time to be pursuing such a considerable change in the Senedd’s make up?”
Cllr Bithel said: “I don’t know where to start really because there’s so much here that I oppose… Can we afford this at this moment in time? I don’t think so.”
