This week in the Senedd, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have backed a motion which would see lying being made illegal in the Senedd.
The motion, which if passed, would make it an offence for a Senedd member, or a candidate for election to the Senedd, to wilfully or with intent to mislead make or publish a statement that is known to be false or deceptive.
According to a poll from IPSOs, only 9% of the British public believe that politicians can be trusted to tell the truth.
The Welsh Lib Dems have announced that they will be supporting the anti-lying ban, as part of their pledge to help clean up Welsh politics.
Speaking to the Siambr on Tuesday, Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds MS said that she would be voting in favour of the motion, stating that it was the best way to combat “institutional dishonesty”.
Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said:
“I am very pleased to be backing this motion today which I believe represents a huge first step in cleaning up our political institutions.
Deception sadly runs rampant among politicians largely due to the lack of any real repercussions. With the current regulations, both here in the Senedd and in Westminster being woefully inadequate.
But enough is enough, we can no longer tolerate mistruths and deception in our political institutions. We must deliver a political system that works for and not against voters.
We as the Welsh Liberal Democrats will fight to take power away from big cash donors and misleading politicians and give it back to the people of Wales.”
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