The Fifth Assembly: It aint what you do (it’s the way that you do it)

Victoria Winckler says that the new Assembly needs to do more than welcome new faces as the AMs take their seats.

The 2016 election result brought many fewer surprises than most commentators had thought, but the fact that the number of Labour seats is only one short of last time ought not to mean that the fifth Assembly, and the fifth Welsh Government, will be more of the same.

With eleven out of Labour’s 29 members being new kids on the Assembly block, and a further twelve new arrivals for other parties, there really is new blood and, with that, scope for a fresh approach.  This is less about what policies the new government should pursue, which if past form is anything to go by will stick pretty closely to the manifesto at least in the early years, and more about process. Or in the words of Bananarama: It ain’t what you do (it’s the way that you do it).

It’s pretty clear that the way that the last Assembly ‘did it’ caught the imagination of very few, as well as struggling with the volume of legislation.  The sheer dullness of much of its business meant that what caught the journalistic eye was all too often the gossip and title-tattle and not the real scandals of potential mis-use of public money, failures of public policy and lack of action.

So what needs to be done by these fresh new faces to bring the fifth Assembly alive?

1. Better Scrutiny and Inquiries

Far too many committee inquiries and questions to Ministers are set pieces: formulaic questions followed by vague answers, with no probing or follow-up.  Has any AM tried to find out exactly how much money is being spent on how many apprentices?  Or what discussions the Government has had with the Department for Work and Pensions on devolving the work programme? Occasionally some AMs do get stuck in – witness the debate on e-cigs or the Regeneration Investment Fund – but the Welsh Government can if it wishes get away with a great deal.

2. Champion ‘what works’ and ditch what doesn’t

Far too much public policy is based on pet ideas and projects – even when some of it patently isn’t delivering.  It’s like we keep prescribing homeopathic medicines even when they do precisely zilch.

If a policy or service isn’t working, ditch it for something that is either proven to work or at least might do. Where else would we keep on with approaches – for example to smoking cessation or community regeneration – that fall so far short of targets.

3. Sweat the big stuff

Far too many debates focus on the relatively little things. Let’s take the PISA results – something that has obsessed commentators and debate. These are important, but are only part of the story. Rather than help to scrutinise the Government, they take they eye off the ball so that we’re not looking at what happens in early years education, post-16 attainment or scrutinising about outcomes because we’re so focused on one flawed measure.

4. Use your powers wisely

The Assembly has more powers than ever. This is the first Assembly to start its term with legislative AND fiscal powers. It can ban things and tax things as never before!

Tempting though it may be, the new Assembly should use these powers wisely. It should only use them when they expect them to make a real difference (so please, no more ‘duties’ on public bodies, and yes, more legislation like presumed consent on organ donation (whether or not you agree with that particular law)).

5. Make the public love you

Politicians are the least trusted of all occupations – even less trusted than estate agents and bankers!

Not only is this shameful personally but it is deeply damaging to Welsh politics in general and the Assembly in particular. How good it would be if the public trusted AMs like they do scientists and doctors? To use sound evidence, to take decisions in the best interests of the public not themselves, to be honest and transparent. It’s not that much to ask.

AMs are expected to take their seats in the Siambr later this week. Let’s hope that the 22 new faces bring a commitment to doing politics differently.

PS: For the avoidance of doubt, I am NOT suggesting that what the Assembly does doesn’t matter or make any difference – but HOW it does its business matters too. 

Victoria Winckler is Director of the Bevan Foundation. To keep up to date with what we do you can sign up to our free monthly e-bulletin, or subscribe to all our resources for just £3 a month.