Welsh voters to get power to remove MSs between elections under new law
Voters in Wales will get power to remove Members of the Senedd between elections under a new law.
The Senedd Cymru (Member Accountability and Elections) Bill was passed by 50 votes to one on Tuesday, 17 March.
The legislation includes a recall system with two clear triggers. Any MS who receives a prison sentence of any length, including a suspended sentence, will face automatic recall. A second route allows discretionary recall where the Standards of Conduct Committee recommends removal for serious misconduct, subject to a majority vote of the whole Senedd.
It also aims to tackle deliberate deception in elections, placing a legal duty on the next Welsh Government to prohibit false statements in the regulations governing Senedd elections.
Counsel General and Minister for Delivery Julie James said: “For the first time, people in Wales will have the power to remove a Member of the Senedd who has seriously broken the rules. I believe that is exactly as it should be in a healthy, accountable democracy.
“This Bill has been built on a solid foundation of cross-party work and the thorough, evidence-based recommendations of the Standards of Conduct Committee. I am grateful to Members across the chamber for their constructive engagement throughout this process.
“We have delivered on our commitment to put primary legislation in place before this Senedd ends.”
The Bill also strengthens the existing Senedd standards system. Every Senedd will be legally required to establish a Standards of Conduct Committee, which may include independent lay members. The Commissioner for Standards will gain additional powers to investigate concerns about Members’ conduct.
The Commissioner for Standards will gain additional powers to investigate concerns about Members’ conduct.
The legislation will be carried forward by the seventh Senedd and will be implemented for the election in five years time.
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