New research by the Welsh Liberal Democrats has shown that the party’s four MPs are amongst the hardest working and most conscientious in Wales.
Lembit Öpik, Mark Williams, Roger Williams and Jenny Willott spoke in more debates in the House of Commons and tabled more written questions than MPs of any other party. They also attended more votes than all Plaid Cymru and Conservative MPs.
Lembit has spoken in 73 debates since the 2005 General Election, tabled 127 written questions and attended 68% of all votes. That compares more than favourably with the highest ranking Conservative, Stephen Crabb who spoke 39 times, asked 154 written questions and attended 67% of votes. It also compares well with Plaid’s best performer, Elfyn Llwyd, who spoke 50 times, tabled 52 written questions and attended 61% of votes.
Of the Labour MPs the most garrulous was Chris Bryant, who spoke 46 times, though Julie Morgan, was their highest contributing backbencher with 45 speeches. Chris Ruane tabled the most written questions amongst Labour MPs, a total of 310, though that pales into insignificance against the 503 tabled by Jenny Willott. The voting record of most Labour MPs was in the 70 or 80 per cent of all votes but then that would be expected as they are in government and thus subject to stricter discipline.
A comparison of the parties taking the average on each indicator reveals that Welsh Liberal Democrat MPs spoke in 43.75 debates, Conservatives in 35.33, Plaid Cymru in 35.67 and Labour in 18.79.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats averaged 215 written questions each, Conservatives 107, Plaid Cymru 35.67 and Labour 23.79. In terms of the percentage of votes participated in the Welsh Liberal Democrats scored 69.75%, Conservatives 65.67%, Plaid Cymru 60.67% and Labour 76.59%.
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