As the Government of the new Plaid/Labour coalition in Wales 'beds in' there are suggestions that sixty members of the National Assembly are not enough to fulfil all the responsibilities necessary for effective Government.
The Plaid/Labour deal was struck last week following an overwhelming majority of Plaid's members supporting the coalition proposal at their National Council meeting in Pontrhydfendigaid on Saturday. Plaid's Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones was appointed Deputy First Minister on Wednesday and ended Plaids 82 year wait to get into Government in Wales.
Now the two leading parties of Plaid and Labour make up 41 Assembly Members out of 60, giving the coalition a two thirds majority in the Assembly, with only 19 politicians who are not members of the coalition parties.
In 2004 the Richard Commission recommended that the Welsh National Assembly should have 80 members elected through Proportional Representation. With its new increased powers the National Assembly for Wales needs more AM's to tackle the increasing workload adequately for the benefit of the people of Wales.
(This article for Celtic News compiled by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot)
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
18/07/07
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