The National Assembly for Wales is asking the people of Wales how its name could be changed to reflect its role and increased responsibilities. Since the Assembly was established by the 1998 Government of Wales Act, there have been two further Acts of Parliament. Now, it is the national legislature, with the power to pass laws and agree taxes. It holds the Government to account for all of its decisions and its use of a budget of £15 billion a year, and it is the focal point for national democratic debate in Wales on the most important issues of the day.
The Wales Bill that is currently before the UK Parliament will, if passed, make further changes to the devolution settlement and give the National Assembly control over its own arrangements – including the power to change its name.
In July this year, the National Assembly unanimously agreed that “the Assembly should change its name to reflect its constitutional status as a national parliament”.
Today (8 December), the Assembly’s Llywydd, Elin Jones AM, has launched a public consultation to ask the people of Wales which name would best reflect the role of the Assembly: “Parliament”, “Senedd” or “Assembly”.
“The extraordinary pace of change in Welsh devolution has come at the cost of consistent public understanding of the role of the National Assembly and the matters for which it has responsibility,” said the Llywydd.
“Electoral turn-out for National Assembly elections, public perception surveys and information gathered through Assembly Commission engagement work all point to a low level of understanding about what the Assembly does and the scope of its powers.
“The National Assembly delivers a range of engagement programmes to increase awareness, understanding and participation. We engage with thousands of people every year by going out to schools, youth groups, community groups, by having a presence at major Welsh cultural events, and by welcoming people to the Senedd and Pierhead for events, tours and visits.
“Despite these efforts we know that the people of Wales do not currently fully grasp the role and the powers of the National Assembly for Wales. So it is clear to me that more needs to be done to promote understanding of the role of the Assembly as the national democratic legislature and how it is distinct from the Welsh Government.
“I want this institution to inspire confidence, trust and pride in the people it serves. A change of name alone will not do that, but I believe it will play an important part and so I am delighted to launch this consultation to hear your views on the future name of your Assembly, your Senedd, your Parliament.”
To take part in the consultation, visit www.assembly.wales/name. You can also call the Assembly’s information line, on 0300 200 6565, to request a copy of the consultation to be posted to you.