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AMs back Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament for new assembly name AMs back Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament for new assembly name
(32 minutes later)
AMs have backed renaming the assembly, calling it both Senedd Cymru and Welsh Parliament, in a vote on Wednesday.AMs have backed renaming the assembly, calling it both Senedd Cymru and Welsh Parliament, in a vote on Wednesday.
A majority of AMs rejected the Welsh-only name Senedd and backed former first-minister Carwyn Jones's proposals for a bilingual name.A majority of AMs rejected the Welsh-only name Senedd and backed former first-minister Carwyn Jones's proposals for a bilingual name.
But proposals to call AMs Members of Senedd Cymru or Member of Welsh Parliament were both rejected - the former by a knife edge.But proposals to call AMs Members of Senedd Cymru or Member of Welsh Parliament were both rejected - the former by a knife edge.
A total of 43 AMs backed Mr Jones' plan, versus 13 against.A total of 43 AMs backed Mr Jones' plan, versus 13 against.
Members of the assembly rejected a vote calling for the name to be purely Senedd, backed by Plaid Cymru and some Labour members, 16 for, 38 against, and with one abstention.Members of the assembly rejected a vote calling for the name to be purely Senedd, backed by Plaid Cymru and some Labour members, 16 for, 38 against, and with one abstention.
The assembly is debating the Senedd and Elections bill, which also brings in votes at 16-and-17 in assembly elections.The assembly is debating the Senedd and Elections bill, which also brings in votes at 16-and-17 in assembly elections.
The Brexit Party's Caroline Jones's tried to have the latter removed but this was rejected by 45 against. 11 - understood to have included Brexit Party and Conservative AMs - had backed the amendments.The Brexit Party's Caroline Jones's tried to have the latter removed but this was rejected by 45 against. 11 - understood to have included Brexit Party and Conservative AMs - had backed the amendments.
Meanwhile AMs backed votes for foreign nationals in assembly elections.
The votes are not the final stage in the passage of the bill through the assembly, but are a major part of the process.The votes are not the final stage in the passage of the bill through the assembly, but are a major part of the process.
Former first minister Carwyn Jones's proposal for a bilingual name had sparked debate - supporters of the name Senedd have included BBC News presenter Huw Edwards.Former first minister Carwyn Jones's proposal for a bilingual name had sparked debate - supporters of the name Senedd have included BBC News presenter Huw Edwards.
The debate opened on Wednesday with Rhun ap Iorwerth of Plaid Cymru, who was backed by Labour's Hefin David and Mike Hedges in wanting to call the assembly simply Senedd.The debate opened on Wednesday with Rhun ap Iorwerth of Plaid Cymru, who was backed by Labour's Hefin David and Mike Hedges in wanting to call the assembly simply Senedd.
The name is already used for the building in Cardiff Bay that houses the assembly chamber.The name is already used for the building in Cardiff Bay that houses the assembly chamber.
Mr ap Iorwerth said Senedd is a "word that is of Wales, a word rooted in the Welsh language, a word that is bilingual in its application".Mr ap Iorwerth said Senedd is a "word that is of Wales, a word rooted in the Welsh language, a word that is bilingual in its application".
He said it "belongs to us all".He said it "belongs to us all".
Mr Jones, Labour AM for Bridgend, had been supported by the Welsh Government.Mr Jones, Labour AM for Bridgend, had been supported by the Welsh Government.
He said he himself would use the term Senedd, but his amendments made it clear in law that Senedd Cymru is Welsh Parliament.He said he himself would use the term Senedd, but his amendments made it clear in law that Senedd Cymru is Welsh Parliament.
Mr Jones argued that it is important that before the use of Senedd became common, that people understand the institution is the Welsh Parliament.Mr Jones argued that it is important that before the use of Senedd became common, that people understand the institution is the Welsh Parliament.
He said it was "true to say Senedd is becoming more apparent among the public". But it was not the case yet that "everyone understands that Senedd means parliament".He said it was "true to say Senedd is becoming more apparent among the public". But it was not the case yet that "everyone understands that Senedd means parliament".
'Magnificent world''Magnificent world'
The original bill stated that Senedd would be the name but that it could also be known as Welsh Parliament - ministers had been worried that this would be confusing.The original bill stated that Senedd would be the name but that it could also be known as Welsh Parliament - ministers had been worried that this would be confusing.
The former first minister was backed by David Melding, Conservative AM for South Wales Central.The former first minister was backed by David Melding, Conservative AM for South Wales Central.
He said a bilingual name would celebrate "the magnificent world we live in, in the English speaking world and Welsh speaking world - that combination makes Wales an exceptional place".He said a bilingual name would celebrate "the magnificent world we live in, in the English speaking world and Welsh speaking world - that combination makes Wales an exceptional place".
Sian Gwenllian of Plaid Cymru, highlighting Welsh words already used widely in Welsh English, said: "Let's cwtch up today, let's not be twp, let's say together there's a parliament for Wales to be known as Senedd."Sian Gwenllian of Plaid Cymru, highlighting Welsh words already used widely in Welsh English, said: "Let's cwtch up today, let's not be twp, let's say together there's a parliament for Wales to be known as Senedd."
Labour's Mike Hedges voted against the bi-lingual name preferring the institution to be called the Senedd. He told BBC Wales: "I'm disappointed that the name Senedd-only was rejected but I expect Senedd to be widely used in public discussion and by the media".Labour's Mike Hedges voted against the bi-lingual name preferring the institution to be called the Senedd. He told BBC Wales: "I'm disappointed that the name Senedd-only was rejected but I expect Senedd to be widely used in public discussion and by the media".
Mr Jones had proposed that members be called Members of Senedd Cymru, while Blaenau Gwent Labour AM Alun Davies had backed Members of Welsh Parliament.Mr Jones had proposed that members be called Members of Senedd Cymru, while Blaenau Gwent Labour AM Alun Davies had backed Members of Welsh Parliament.
Both were rejected. Mr Jones' amendment for the new title failed to pass 25 votes for, 26 against, with four abstentions.Both were rejected. Mr Jones' amendment for the new title failed to pass 25 votes for, 26 against, with four abstentions.
It means that, as things stand, AMs will be renamed Member of the Senedd as per the bill's original proposal.It means that, as things stand, AMs will be renamed Member of the Senedd as per the bill's original proposal.
The Brexit Party made a failed bid to have the term Senedd removed from the English version of the bill, leaving simply Welsh Parliament.The Brexit Party made a failed bid to have the term Senedd removed from the English version of the bill, leaving simply Welsh Parliament.
David Rowlands, the party's AM for South Wales Central, said: "It is essential that the name we use can be understood not only here in Wales but throughout the rest of the world."David Rowlands, the party's AM for South Wales Central, said: "It is essential that the name we use can be understood not only here in Wales but throughout the rest of the world."
Foreign nationals to be given the right to vote in Wales
Later AMs voted for foreign nationals residing legally in Wales to be given the franchise in assembly elections - 38 for, 16 against.
Jeremy Miles, counsel general, told AMs: "Now is the right time for this institution to signal its commitment to people living in Wales regardless of where they were born."
Mr Melding criticised the way the "major change" was introduced, "piggybacking" on an Assembly Commission bill. Mark Reckless said it was "impossible to conclude that it was for narrow partisan reasons".
"And so is your opposition," deputy culture minister Dafydd Elis Thomas heckled.
AMs are continuing to vote on the bill, and are due to debate whether to stop councillors from standing for the assembly, and disqualify sex offenders from joining the institution.AMs are continuing to vote on the bill, and are due to debate whether to stop councillors from standing for the assembly, and disqualify sex offenders from joining the institution.