Reform UK MS Jason O'Connell has questioned whether a former colleague who defected to Plaid Cymru should be forced to resign, accusing her of "fraud" during a Senedd plenary session on Tuesday.
Mr O'Connell, who stood against Helen Jenner in this week's leadership contest, asked whether it was legal for elected members to switch political parties. His remarks followed the defection of Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg MS Sarah Cooper-Lesadd from Reform UK to Plaid Cymru last week.
Question to counsel general
In questions to Elfyn Llwyd, the counsel general, Mr O'Connell raised the issue of candidates changing parties after election. He said that under Wales' electoral law, voters get one vote for a political party and its list of candidates, creating "a very clear statement of accountability".
"What happens when a candidate asks voters to back one party, gets elected on that party's manifesto, and then walks away from those commitments?" he asked. "The voter doesn't have to change their vote. They can't choose another candidate. Yet the member keeps their seat alongside their very generous salary."
Accusation of fraud
Mr O'Connell said "some learned legal minds" could consider such conduct "fraud by misrepresentation". He asked whether Welsh electoral law provides legal protection for voters when a candidate's conduct after election departs from the political representation they were elected under.
He also asked whether Plaid Cymru still considers that politicians who mislead constituents should be criminalised, and whether the member should "do the right thing and resign" to protect Welsh democracy. The Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr MS was interrupted as disruption broke out across the chamber.
Response from counsel general
Responding, Mr Llwyd said he didn't have his "Wellingtons" with him as he's "never heard such a load of muck". He said: "I regret, Llywydd, that I haven't got my wellingtons with me. I've never heard such a load of muck in a long time. And I'm not getting involved in the politics of it, but is the member seriously saying that nobody within Reform has ever switched sides during the currency of an election?"
Mr O'Connell replied: "We've all been elected." Mr Llwyd responded: "I'm the legal officer. I thank him for that question but it's not for me. Thank you very much."
