Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd MP addressed a delegation of politicians from over thirty Commonwealth countries as part of a lecture entitled ‘The Role of the Opposition’.
Mr Llwyd cited this week’s Terrorists Asset Freezing Bill as an example of legislation made in haste and the unique role of smaller opposition parties in tackling the UK Government over its policies.
Mr Llwyd was speaking at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s seminar series in London.
Commenting, Mr Llwyd said:
“I’m very privileged to be invited to speak on the subject of the role of the opposition in parliament and it was a great pleasure to speak to such a distinguished audience of parliamentarians from Australia, Canada, India, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobego – in all 32 Commonwealth countries.
“Scrutiny of parliamentary affairs has never been such a low ebb and the role of the smaller parties I believe is crucial in the process.
“For example on Monday evening this week, a second reading debate on the Terrorists Asset Freezing proposals was held. These are very draconian measures that appear to be in contravention of several articles of the UN Convention on Human Rights, and yet only two people including myself raised these issues.
“I believe that this was a classic example of legislate in haste and repent at leisure.
“This is just a snap shot as to why we need independently minded groups in parliament to scrutinise the executive.”
