I love Wales and the Welsh…
(just in case there was any doubt about that from any quarters) …but I hate their dreadful additional member list voting system for the Assembly.
“If list members are in any doubt about what their role should be, they have only to consult Leanne Wood’s magic memo, or the additional list Members’ bible, as it is known. She set out with great clarity her golden rules on how list Members should abuse the system: avoid casework at all costs; misuse the staffing allowance to benefit the party; locate the office not for the needs of the people, but in the interests of the party; and, of course, attend events only if it is in the interests of the party - if in doubt, send a pro forma letter of rejection. There is a problem in with the system. List Members of any party - even Labour list Members, if there were any - would be drawn to that approach because the system allows and even encourages them to behave in such a manner. The system is wrong and should be changed”
Mark Tami MP, during the Government of Wales Bill debate. (via Lee)
To think some people actually want that roving member-at-large system across the whole of the UK…
Puts a new meaning to the phrase ‘The end justifies the means!’
In my opinion the attempt to actually control who can stand aand where for an elected chamber in the UK seems to be blatantly corrupt, the Ulster Unionists of the 60’s would be proud of you.
Quite a few of those abuses happen with constituency MPs too.