Chronicling National Assembly committees as markers of institutional change

ABSTRACT

This article examines changes to the National Assembly for Wales committees and how they act as markers that help explain the dynamics of a significant and contemporaneous constitutional journey. It uses as its backdrop recent constitutional and political change in the UK, particularly that initiated by devolution. Uniquely, we draw upon management theory as well as political science to explain why changes in the focus, identity and profile of Assembly committees represent significant markers or reflectors of constitutional shifts. We suggest that examining key components within the internal architecture of parliaments at different stages of development offers an additional and complementary level of institutional analysis. Our review of the Assembly committees reveals that they have reflected the pace and shape of change in Welsh devolution, and that shifts in their profile and operation offer another insight into devolution, whilst also reflecting wider institutional and political change.

KEYWORDS:

• Institutional change
• devolution
• parliament
• committees
• Wales

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Diana Stirbu is Senior Lecturer in Public Administration at London Metropolitan University, and an expert on devolution. Diana obtained her Ph.D. at the University of Liverpool after graduating the Liverpool MPA programme with Distinction. Diana specialises in territorial politics, parliamentary studies and strategic management in the public sector. Diana contributes regularly to constitutional debates in England and Wales in expert or advisory capacity.

Laura McAllister is Professor of Public Policy and the Governance of Wales at Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre. Laura was a member of the Richard Commission on the Powers and Electoral Arrangements for National Assembly for Wales and a member of the National Assembly Remuneration Board. She was Chair of the Presiding Officer’s Expert Panel on Electoral Reform, which reported in December 2017.

ORCID

Diana S. Stirbu http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2935-573X

Notes

1 A fourth stage – based on a reserved powers model – has emerged following the Wales Acts 2014 and 2017.

2 Similar to Acts of Parliament.

3 Conducted in 2006.

4 Paper petitions in 2007 and e-petitions in 2008.

5 Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee in the 5th term.

6 Committee on the Better Governance for Wales (2005–2007), the Shadow Commission (2006–2007), Committee on the Standing Orders (2005–2007), Committee on the Government for Wales Bill (2006).

7 To reflect the overall party balance in the Assembly.