Government of Wales Bill

We have had very unclear statements from the Opposition, so it is right that I read out those statements before giving way. The first says:"““In a third term we will legislate for a stronger Assembly with enhanced legislative powers.””" Some Opposition Members disagreed with that idea during our debates and that is fine, but that is what our manifesto states. The second statement is:"““We will improve the accountability of Ministers by ending the confusing corporate status of the Assembly””." So it is very clear that that is what we are going to do, and we have the support of this House. These days, I am far more diplomatic than the Secretary of State on such issues. I understand that we have these debates, and I am not really worried about this legislation, but I am proud that we are standing by our manifesto commitments. One cannot get much clearer than the third statement:"““Alongside the changes we will prevent candidates from standing on both the list and in a constituency in order to make all candidates genuinely accountable to the electorate and to end Assembly Members being elected via the backdoor even when they have already been rejected by voters.””" That is a very clear commitment and I stand by it. When I discussed the Assembly on the doorsteps of Ynys Môn, that very issue did arise, and I intend to vote with the Government.