I believe the proposal to extend accommodation expenditure to individuals who have their main residence outside Wales to be one that is uncalled for and risks damaging the way representation is organised within the Welsh Assembly. It would seem to me that it is an accepted principle that representatives of any national body should be located within the country/state where they carry out or seek to be elected . Any deviation from this is likely to result in individuals with less knowledge, understanding or commitment to the area they seek to represent. Were UK members of Parliament to have their main residence in France, Germany etc., I am sure this would provoke a national outcry. Indeed, the recent European Referendum was greatly affected by accusations ( whether accurate or not ) that the degree of control of parliament over UK affairs was severely limited by European politicians and bureaucrats.

 

I also believe that we in Wales for years, even centuries, have been governed and affected by individuals who had little or no feeling or understanding for Wales as a nation and no real commitment to its affairs. Now that we have our own Assembly where we have a focus on our own internal affairs, we should not consider diluting this in any way to satisfy the political ambitions of individuals who have never shown any interest in our affairs in the past.

 

We have no wish to be subject to yet another “take –over” from such quarters and I believe our best interests are served by those who live, work and are dedicated to the success of our communities our economy and our identity as a nation. I hope you will take these views into account and reject moves to dilute the current situation in any way.