Democracy (From Barry And District News)

Democracy

I have just read an article in the News by David Melding, AM for South Wales Central.

In it he accuses Peter Hain for being undemocratic in seeking a just salary scale for AMs, those who are elected first past the post, and those remaining twenty who make up a top-up list using PR (proportional representation).

I find David Melding's accusation totally hypocritical, as he belongs to a political party does not believes in the PR system.

If left to a Tory government in Westminster, both PR and devolved government would no doubt be scrapped, leaving David Melding and ten of his Tory colleagues without a job. Even Nick Bourne, the leader of the Tories in the Welsh Assembly (he came in third in the Brecon election) would leave politics, for the Tories believe solely in first past the post.

So for David Melding to accuse Peter Hain, who is the leader of the House of Commons, of being undemocratic is a bit rich. Perhaps the Labour AMs, all 30 of them voted first past the post, should change the system just as the Tories would and then Labour could dominate the Assembly with 30 AMs to 10. And it would save a lot of tax-payers' money.

G T Edwards

Philippa Freeth Court

Dock View Road

Barry