Bethan Jenkins AC/AM Blog

Kirsty Williams AM today tells the Western Mail that AMs are in a bubble in Cardiff Bay. All I’ll say is that you can be in the bubble if you choose to be, or you can quite easily not be in it as well.

 I don’t think its fair to say that people’s opinions are not represented in what we say in the chamber. I try and base all of my arguments and questions on issues that constituents or groups in my area have raised with me, and stay in touch with them about progress on those issues. As elected representatives, we obviously also have some flexibility in raising matters that we are passionate about as individuals, or as members of a particular party, but that doesn’t mean to say that the Senedd is like some kind of club. We ‘hear the same people’ all the time as we have debates, committee sessions and so on which involve AMs from different parties ( and there are only 60 of us fair play!)  This is surely a healthy sign that democracy is working? Perhaps the lib dems think that they too are gimmicks?

Its true that AMs need to get out more and talk to people in their areas about what is affecting them, but there is a balancing act between sitting on LCO committees, speaking in debates at the Senedd, and getting our hands dirty in our regions or constituencies. It is far too easy for AMs to fall in to the trap of not consulting constituents effectively, or getting too laid back in their positions, but that will always happen in the world of politics unfortunately. I just hope that the public can see that most of us are working really hard, are energetic, and genuinely interested in the work that we do. I for one am privileged, and won’t take anything for granted!