VIEW FROM THE SENEDD: 36 new Senedd members must be scrapped

A political bias scandal engulfed the BBC this week, and attention has now turned to Wales.

Rhuanedd Richards, the former Chief Executive of Plaid Cymru separatists, was appointed Director of Programming.

Unlike other political figures appointed to non-executive roles, Rhuanedd’s job at BBC Wales was editorial.

This means the post holder has direct input and control over content and output.

Appointing a partisan figure to the position inevitably raises questions about impartiality.

Earlier this year, I told the Taxpayers’ Alliance podcast it would be the equivalent of Alistair Campbell going from Downing Street to become the Director General of the BBC.

Given the allegations BBC Wales faces over pro-Plaid bias, you would have thought they’d be extra careful this week to allay them.

But that hasn’t been the case.

Just yesterday, they ran an article on Plaid’s calls for policing to be devolved to the Senedd, which contained no criticism or scrutiny of the policy.

I know they received opposing views, because I sent them a statement. But the BBC did not include it.

To be clear, handing powers over policing to the Senedd would be disastrous.

Ministers have made a mess with those powers they have, such as over health and education.

More responsibilities for the Senedd is the last thing Wales needs.

But there’s also another reason I oppose any further devolution.

Giving the Senedd more powers is part of the separatists’ salami slice strategy to deliver Welsh independence.

Just this week, Senedd minister Julie James admitted “the more laws we make in this place, the more separate they become from the England jurisdiction”.

This is why I oppose Senedd expansion so strongly.

The 36 more Senedd members aren’t just jobs for the boys: the bigger goal is separatism and breaking up Britain.

It’s imperative we end the idea that once devolution has been expanded, it cannot be rolled back.

The 36 more Senedd members must be scrapped.