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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 a Welsh-only name, Senedd, and backed former first-minister Carwyn Jones' proposals for a bilingual name. | |
Plaid's Rhun ap Iorwerth said the word Senedd was rooted in the Welsh language, but Mr Jones said it was not clear everyone understood the word. | |
A total of 43 AMs backed Mr Jones' plan, with 13 against. | |
Meanwhile AMs have reiterated their support for votes for 16 to 17-year-olds in assembly elections. | |
A Brexit Party attempt to scrap the plans from the Senedd and Elections Bill, understood to be backed by some Conservative AMs, failed - 11 votes for and 45 against. | |
It is not the final stage in the passage of the bill through the assembly, but is a major part of the process. | |
Former first minister Carwyn Jones' 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 Mr ap Iorwerth, 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 was 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". |
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." | |
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 was Welsh Parliament. | |
Mr Jones argued that it was 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 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". |
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". |
Osian Rhys from Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said it was "clear from the comments in the debate today that there is a lot of support across the parties for a Welsh-only name, 'Senedd'". | |
"Politicians are only half way through the law-making process, so there will be another chance to push an amendment to ensure one name for the Senedd in a few weeks." | |
Proposals to call AMs Members of Senedd Cymru or Member of Welsh Parliament were both rejected - the former by a knife edge. | |
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 | 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. | 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." | 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". | 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. | "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. |