Its been quite a dramatic opening week at the Senedd. But are you a little confused as to what has been happening in the National Assembly?
Let’s break it down…
When the vote for the First Minister took place on the first day of the new Assembly the result was a tie between Carwyn Jones and Leanne Wood. This means that nobody was elected as First Minister and that talks can now take place between the parties.
Q: Why was there a need to nominate and vote on First Minister in the first place?
Its normal Parliamentary protocol to nominate and vote on a First Minister at the beginning of each Assembly. This has happened in previous assemblies following Welsh elections.
Q: But Labour have a majority… Why don’t Plaid Cymru respect democracy?
Taking a vote on who will be the next First Minister is democratic in itself.
Whilst having more seats (29) than the rest of the other parties within the Assembly, Labour do not have enough seats to constitute a majority. The 2016 Wales election results show that no party was given a majority.
Plaid Cymru have always maintained and demonstrated the utmost respect for democracy and the mandate of the people of Wales.
Q: Why did Plaid Cymru nominate Leanne Wood for First Minister?
Plaid Cymru had requested that the vote to determine this Assembly’s First Minister was delayed in order to allow discussions between all parties about the governance of Wales over the next five years.
Labour refused any form of discussion.
As a result, the Plaid Cymru group followed parliamentary protocol and nominated Leanne Wood for First Minister. Carwyn Jones was informed of this decision yesterday as were all party leaders.
Some may interpret this as Plaid Cymru challenging Labour on their refusal for negotiation because as a minority, they simply have to negotiate. It may also have been a reminder for Labour that Plaid Cymru is now the official opposition and that they should not take anything for granted.
Q: But Plaid Cymru have formed a coalition with UKIP and the Tories!
FALSE. They have not. Plaid Cymru simply nominated Leanne Wood for First Minister. The other parties voted. Plaid Cymru will never form a coalition with the Conservatives or UKIP.
During the election Leanne Wood made it very clear that she would not enter a coalition with either the Conservatives or UKIP. This position has not changed.
Despite all sorts of claims from Labour, no formal discussions, agreements or deals were pursued between Plaid Cymru and any other party. All parties were notified of Plaid Cmru’s decision to nominate Leanne Wood for First Minister – including Labour.
Q: So why did UKIP and the Tories support Leanne Wood’s bid then?
UKIP and the Conservatives may have voted for Leanne Wood’s bid for First Minister because they have a shared interest in wanting Labour to listen and negotiate with them. It was UKIP and the Conservatives’ decision to do this.
Q: But isn’t this playing politics with people’s lives?
Despite the drama that can come hand in hand with politics, it is important to remember that this is the beginning of the Assembly and that it is important that each parties remember why they have been elected – to represent the people of Wales. Therefore negotiations are important.
This is how minority governments are supposed to work, by discussion and by reaching consensus.
The ball is in Labour’s court whether they choose to negotiate or not – and with whom.
Q: So…what happens next?
It is now for the parties to discuss this matter further in order to seek the best outcome for Wales.
Labour now has a choice, reach a consensus with the progressive opposition party, Plaid Cymru, or with UKIP or the Tories.
Leanne Wood has outlined her decision in both a written statement and an interview. Plaid Cymru and Labour are now currently in talks.
It is also to important to remember that had Plaid Cymru not nominated Leanne Wood following the refusal for any form of discussion by the Labour Party, it is highly likely that Carwyn Jones would have been selected as First Minister and the first day of the new Assembly would have passed by like business as usual without any challenge to the Labour Party’s unwillingness to co-operate and negotiate despite being a minority.
It has also inadvertently highlighted the need for greater and better Welsh political education so that the people of Wales can understand how governance in Wales works and operates.
