Lord Constitution Committee to discuss future governance of UK at the Senedd
Wednesday 20 October 2021
The House of Lords Constitution Committee will tomorrow be visiting the Welsh Parliament, where it will meet, informally, with the Senedd’s Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, as part of its inquiry into the future governance of the United Kingdom.
They are expected to discuss relations between the UK Parliament and the Senedd, and the Sewel Convention, amongst other matters.
The Constitution Committee will then take oral evidence from governance experts on issues including the impact of Brexit and COVID-19 on the Union, the UK Government’s approach to the Union, intergovernmental relations and reforms to funding arrangements.
Giving evidence in English will be:
- Professor Laura McAllister, Professor of public policy and the governance of Wales, Cardiff University, and co-chair of the Welsh Constitutional Convention
Giving evidence in Welsh will be:
- Professor Wyn Jones, director of Cardiff University’s Wales governance centre and dean of public affairs
Questions the committee is likely to ask the witnesses include:
- What impact has Brexit and COVID-19 had on the Union?
- What aspects of the Union are working well?
- Are wider reforms to the funding arrangements for devolution desirable?
- Is establishing a federal UK feasible?
Baroness Taylor, Chair of the House of Lords Constitution Committee said:
“My committee and I are delighted to visit Cardiff to meet with Senedd colleagues and hear evidence from experts in Welsh governance. The visit will provide valuable insight for our inquiry into the future governance of the United Kingdom. We hope to be able to continue working with our colleagues in the Senedd, and the other devolved legislatures, to improve interparliamentary relations and dialogue about the shared challenges facing the UK.”
Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Chair of the Senedd’s Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee said:
“Strengthening interparliamentary working is a key objective for my committee and we look forward to hosting the House of Lords Constitution Committee. It is important that we continue to share perspectives and understanding on constitutional matters and I hope that our meeting marks the start of a productive working relationship during the course of the Sixth Senedd.”
A transcript of the session will be published on the Constitution Committee’s website in the week commencing 25 October.
