Members of Rhondda Cynon Taf Conservatives recently set up shop on the high street in Pontypridd to speak with residents about the Welsh Government’s plan to give prisoners the vote, and the response was a resounding NO!

Residents of Pontypridd, like the Welsh Conservatives, believe that prisoners who have committed a crime and are currently serving their prison sentences, should not be given the right to vote.

Unfortunately, the Labour-controlled Welsh Government, along with their Plaid Cymru and Lib Dem colleagues, seem hell bent on quietly pushing through this legislation, with very little scrutiny or discussion, and it is worrying to realise how very few residents actually know that this legislation is being pursued.

Commenting on the proposals, Llantwit Fardre councillor and leader of the Welsh Conservatives on RCT Council said:

“At our street stall, residents of Pontypridd were overwhelming in their opposition to these proposals, which are ultimately being push through whilst our attention is focussed on Brexit. I firmly believe, prisoners who have committed a crime and can’t participate in a lawful society, should not be able to have a say in how it is governed – law breakers should not be law makers.

When someone is sentenced to prison, they lose their liberty and their other rights, and that includes the right to vote. This is the norm across the world and moves to award them the vote are not in the public interest.”

Should this legislation be passed, it will completely ignore the experiences and trauma of those who have been victims of crime, and will fly in the face of overwhelming public opinion.