The Welsh Parliament is Wales' democratically elected legislature. It is a place for debate, scrutiny, and accountability.
Yesterday, members of Plaid Cymru, Labour, and the Green Party walked out during a speech by Reform UK's Joe Martin MS.
Janet Finch-Saunders MS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Bangor Conwy Môn, said:
"As elected representatives, we will not always agree with the views expressed by members of the public or fellow politicians. However, our duty is to listen, engage in debate, and either support those views or challenge them with an alternative.
"Labour, Plaid Cymru, and the Green Party chose to walk out rather than participate in democratic debate. That is unacceptable.
"My Welsh Conservative colleagues and I have consistently opposed policies and spending decisions made under the previous Welsh Labour Government, including the tree-planting scheme in Uganda. These concerns were regularly raised with us by constituents.
"Democracy requires debate, not disengagement. Our responsibility is to represent our constituents, listen to differing views, and ensure their voices are heard."
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
Y Senedd yw’r ddeddfwrfa a etholwyd yn ddemocrataidd yng Nghymru. Mae'n lle ar gyfer dadlau, craffu ac atebolrwydd.
Ddoe, cerddodd aelodau o Plaid Cymru, Llafur a'r Blaid Werdd allan yn ystod araith gan Joe Martin AS o Reform UK.
Meddai Janet Finch-Saunders, AS Bangor Conwy Môn:
"Fel cynrychiolwyr etholedig, ni fyddwn bob amser yn cytuno â'r safbwyntiau a fynegir gan aelodau o'r cyhoedd neu gyd-wleidyddion. Fodd bynnag, mae’n ddyletswydd arnom i wrando, cymryd rhan mewn dadl, a naill ai cefnogi'r safbwyntiau hynny neu eu herio gyda barn arall.
"Dewisodd Llafur, Plaid Cymru a'r Blaid Werdd gerdded allan yn hytrach na chymryd rhan mewn dadl ddemocrataidd. Mae hynny'n annerbyniol.
"Mae fy nghydweithwyr yn y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig a minnau wedi gwrthwynebu’n gyson bolisïau a phenderfyniadau gwariant a wnaed o dan Lywodraeth Lafur flaenorol Cymru, gan gynnwys y cynllun plannu coed yn Uganda. Fe wnaeth etholwyr godi’r pryderon hyn yn rheolaidd gyda ni.
"Mae democratiaeth yn gofyn am ddadl, nid datgysylltu. Ein cyfrifoldeb ni yw cynrychioli ein hetholwyr, gwrando ar safbwyntiau gwahanol a sicrhau bod eu lleisiau’n cael eu clywed."
DIWEDD
Llun: Janet Finch-Saunders A
