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Assembly 'needs outside talent' Assembly 'needs outside talent'
(about 19 hours later)
Political parties should overcome their "tribalism" to encourage celebrities, sport stars and businesspeople to join the Welsh assembly, says a minister.Political parties should overcome their "tribalism" to encourage celebrities, sport stars and businesspeople to join the Welsh assembly, says a minister.
Jane Davidson, who will stand down at the next election in 2011, says new talent would freshen up the Senedd.Jane Davidson, who will stand down at the next election in 2011, says new talent would freshen up the Senedd.
The environment minister wants 20 of the 60 seats made available to outside who could become AMs for a short time before returning to their day jobs. The environment minister wants 20 of the 60 seats available to those outside who could become AMs for a short time before returning to their day jobs.
The Pontypridd AM said it would be a form of secondment.The Pontypridd AM said it would be a form of secondment.
Ms Davidson, who has been an AM since Welsh devolution began in 1999, told BBC's Politics Show Wales that a fluid approach to politics would help boost the range and appeal of the assembly. I know of people who would like to work at the assembly, but would not be able to commit to four years as they value their day job Environment Minister Jane Davidson Ms Davidson, who has been an AM since Welsh devolution began in 1999, told the BBC's Politics Show Wales that a fluid approach to politics would help boost the range and appeal of the assembly. I know of people who would like to work at the assembly, but would not be able to commit to four years as they value their day job Environment Minister Jane Davidson
Of the 60 seats, 40 are in directly-elected constituencies, and the other 20 are allocated via lists drawn up by the parties to ensure the assembly has a degree of proportional representation.Of the 60 seats, 40 are in directly-elected constituencies, and the other 20 are allocated via lists drawn up by the parties to ensure the assembly has a degree of proportional representation.
But she called for the 20 list seats to be offered to people outside the political system.But she called for the 20 list seats to be offered to people outside the political system.
"I know of people who would like to work at the assembly, but would not be able to commit to four years as they value their day job," she said."I know of people who would like to work at the assembly, but would not be able to commit to four years as they value their day job," she said.
"So it could be a type of secondment. There will still be a place for people who want to be career politicians, and they will be good at it."So it could be a type of secondment. There will still be a place for people who want to be career politicians, and they will be good at it.
"But not everybody is a career politician who wants to contribute towards life at the assembly."But not everybody is a career politician who wants to contribute towards life at the assembly.
"We should look at the idea that some people will want to spend time working with their own legislature and then take that experience to their working environment."We should look at the idea that some people will want to spend time working with their own legislature and then take that experience to their working environment.
More attentionMore attention
"Just as I will have spent a long time here in the legislature and then use that in helping some organisation when I leave. I hope that that kind of fluidity will become the norm in Wales."Just as I will have spent a long time here in the legislature and then use that in helping some organisation when I leave. I hope that that kind of fluidity will become the norm in Wales.
"I'm increasingly concerned with the separation between professional politicians and everyone else. We have a small legislature and we need ways of bringing people in, not through traditional party routes, to the assembly, and then leave.The Senedd in Cardiff Bay has been the AMs' debating chamber since 2006"I'm increasingly concerned with the separation between professional politicians and everyone else. We have a small legislature and we need ways of bringing people in, not through traditional party routes, to the assembly, and then leave.The Senedd in Cardiff Bay has been the AMs' debating chamber since 2006
Ms Davidson also expressed surprise how much interest her decision to quit had received in the media.Ms Davidson also expressed surprise how much interest her decision to quit had received in the media.
"When I announced that I was leaving, it attracted much more attention than I expected. People said to me, 'what's the scandal?'"When I announced that I was leaving, it attracted much more attention than I expected. People said to me, 'what's the scandal?'
"That was on the basis that politicians only leave politics if they die or are removed because of scandals."That was on the basis that politicians only leave politics if they die or are removed because of scandals.
"In Wales, why can't we look at the system we've got, and see if we can make it better.""In Wales, why can't we look at the system we've got, and see if we can make it better."
Ms Davidson, who also wrote an article in the Western Mail expanding on her views, asked: "Can we put tribalism away and be big enough to be radical in the interests of our small, clever country?Ms Davidson, who also wrote an article in the Western Mail expanding on her views, asked: "Can we put tribalism away and be big enough to be radical in the interests of our small, clever country?
"Could parties support the idea of using their own top-up lists not only to support equality, but to bring talented non-politicians into the Assembly eg top business people, entrepreneurs, successful principals of colleges, vice-chancellors of universities, environmentalists, third sector chief executives, sports stars, media stars … the list goes on."Could parties support the idea of using their own top-up lists not only to support equality, but to bring talented non-politicians into the Assembly eg top business people, entrepreneurs, successful principals of colleges, vice-chancellors of universities, environmentalists, third sector chief executives, sports stars, media stars … the list goes on.
"I'm sure that many of Wales' most talented people would wish to contribute to the assembly; in fact they already do on a regular basis in numerous working groups, commissions and the like.""I'm sure that many of Wales' most talented people would wish to contribute to the assembly; in fact they already do on a regular basis in numerous working groups, commissions and the like."
Ms Davidson said she felt the assembly's four-year fixed period deterred "those who are passionate about Wales and devolution but who feel that a four-year stint would be too long out of their job and who don't want to become professional politicians".Ms Davidson said she felt the assembly's four-year fixed period deterred "those who are passionate about Wales and devolution but who feel that a four-year stint would be too long out of their job and who don't want to become professional politicians".