Latest news with #ElinJones
BBC News
08-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Welsh Parliament mace removed as Senedd expands for more politicians
As the refurbishment of the Welsh Parliament's debating chamber continues, the Senedd's ceremonial mace has been has begun on expanding the chamber ahead of an increase in the number of Members of the Senedd (MS) after the next extra 36 MSs will be elected in May 2026, bringing the total to mace will be transferred to the old debating chamber in an adjoining building, where MSs will sit whilst the changes are made. The mace sits in front of the Llywydd - the Senedd's Presiding from gold, silver and brass, it was presented to the Senedd by the Parliament of New South Wales in Australia to mark the opening of the Senedd building in an election the mace is placed in its holder in the debating chamber to signify the official opening of the Senedd. Why is it being moved? The mace is being moved because MSs are having to vacate the debating chamber due to building chamber needs to be extended to make room for the additional 36 politicians that will be elected next May as the number of politicians in Cardiff Bay increases from 60 to costs associated with preparing the Senedd for more members have been put at £6.5m in the next year or so, MSs will sit in the old debating chamber in the Tŷ Hywel office building behind the Senedd which is where the mace will be where Assembly Members - as they were then called - sat between 1999 and five MSs remain from that period: the Llywydd Elin Jones from Plaid Cymru, Labour's Jane Hutt, Lynne Neagle and John Griffiths and Conservative MS Mark Isherwood. What other changes are happening? As well as an increase in the number of MSs, the way politicians are elected to Cardiff Bay is also is being split up into 16 constituencies and each one will be represented by six MSs, elected via proportional changes are happening as a result of a deal between Labour and Plaid of the reforms say more MSs are needed to reflect the extra responsibilities the Senedd now has compared to when devolution began in opponents - including the Conservatives - say the changes are a waste of taxpayers' money.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Elin Jones to stand down as Llywydd in 2026
The woman in charge of keeping order in the Welsh Parliament has said she will give up the job after the next Senedd election. Elin Jones has been Llywydd since 2016 but has said it was time for "a new pair of eyes" to keep politicians in check. She said she was pleased to have set in train the plans to increase membership of the Senedd from 60 to 96 from May 2026. Jones said she hoped to be a member of that parliament and was looking forward to being a backbencher. Don't say blanket 20mph limit, Senedd boss rules GB News removed from Welsh Parliament televisions Jones was elected to the first Assembly as it then was in 1999, as the Plaid Cymru member for Ceredigion, a seat she has represented since. She was the minister for rural affairs during the Labour-Plaid Cymru coalition, before becoming Llywydd in 2016. The Llywydd's job is to act as the Welsh Parliament's figurehead and referee in the chamber. Jones feels next year's Senedd election was a good time to hand over. "I will by this time next year, have served as Llywydd for 10 years", she said. "I think that's more than enough time for somebody to be elected as Llywydd in this place and it's time for a new pair of eyes watching what the people do in this chamber." She added she was proud of her work in lobbying for more members for a body which has accrued more powers since 1999. The Senedd's chamber has now closed for renovation work to accommodate the additional members when they start next year. "And on that note, I can conclude my time as Llywydd, pass on the reins so I will not be putting my name forward to be Llywydd in May of next year, and it'll be one of the other 96." More politicians future proof Senedd - Elin Jones Elin Jones seeks re-election as presiding officer Elin Jones backs youth parliament
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Elin Jones to stand down as Llywydd in 2026
The woman in charge of keeping order in the Welsh Parliament has said she will give up the job after the next Senedd election. Elin Jones has been Llywydd since 2016 but has said it was time for "a new pair of eyes" to keep politicians in check. She said she was pleased to have set in train the plans to increase membership of the Senedd from 60 to 96 from May 2026. Jones said she hoped to be a member of that parliament and was looking forward to being a backbencher. Don't say blanket 20mph limit, Senedd boss rules GB News removed from Welsh Parliament televisions Jones was elected to the first Assembly as it then was in 1999, as the Plaid Cymru member for Ceredigion, a seat she has represented since. She was the minister for rural affairs during the Labour-Plaid Cymru coalition, before becoming Llywydd in 2016. The Llywydd's job is to act as the Welsh Parliament's figurehead and referee in the chamber. Jones feels next year's Senedd election was a good time to hand over. "I will by this time next year, have served as Llywydd for 10 years", she said. "I think that's more than enough time for somebody to be elected as Llywydd in this place and it's time for a new pair of eyes watching what the people do in this chamber." She added she was proud of her work in lobbying for more members for a body which has accrued more powers since 1999. The Senedd's chamber has now closed for renovation work to accommodate the additional members when they start next year. "And on that note, I can conclude my time as Llywydd, pass on the reins so I will not be putting my name forward to be Llywydd in May of next year, and it'll be one of the other 96." More politicians future proof Senedd - Elin Jones Elin Jones seeks re-election as presiding officer Elin Jones backs youth parliament
