Reform Senedd Members backed Welsh Labour’s nomination of Huw Irranca-Davies MS, the former Deputy First Minister, for Presiding Officer, while failing to put forward a single alternative candidate for Deputy Presiding Officer.
Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Bangor, Conwy,Môn, said:
“Throughout the campaign, Plaid Cymru and Reform tried to paint the Senedd election as a two-horse race. But at the very first test, Reform collapsed.
“As I often heard on the door step, that people were voting Reform, to oppose Plaid Cymru, this votes, clearly shows that Reform are already letting their voters, and my constituents down.
“In any healthy democracy, the former Deputy First Minister would not simply step straight into the Speaker’s chair. The role of Presiding Officer is supposed to be impartial, not a political reward handed out after serving at the top of the last Labour Government.
“This vote sends a clear message that the Labour-Plaid partnership is alive and well.
“Reform UK promised voters they would challenge Plaid Cymru and hold them to account. Instead, when the moment came, they waved it through.
“The Welsh Conservatives will continue to expose this political stitch-up and hold Reform to account for failing to deliver the opposition they promised.
“As we will uphold our word, and we will continue to push for the end of corridor care, continue to push for support for farmers, and we will continue to ensure the voice of residents in Wales are heard.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
