Jane Dodds Misses Key Votes on Homelessness Bill in Senedd
Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, failed to vote on 50% of the ballots over the past two full years in the Senedd and 63% in 2026.
Last month, she missed a vote on a homelessness bill in the Senedd, which meant that the amendments she supported did not pass.
Speaking on BBC Politics Wales, she said:
"Mae'n ddrwg gen i am fethu hynny, doeddwn i ddim yn gwybod bod gwelliannau hollbwysig."
Laura Anne Jones, a Reform MS, also missed the vote. Had either been present and voted against the government, the amendments would have passed.
The amendments to the bill aimed to place greater emphasis on local authorities to protect abuse victims, provide independent advice, and work in a more preventative manner.
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Jane Dodds has promised to secure a better deal for Wales.
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Jane Dodds is the only Liberal Democrat member in the Senedd and said she had:
"ddweud yn glir iawn wrth y sefydliadau a dynnodd sylw at hyn a denu sylw'r cyfryngau, y dylwn i fod wedi bod yno a dwi'n ymddiheuro am hynny".
The homelessness charity Cymorth Cymru expressed disappointment and frustration that many amendments ended in tied votes and ultimately failed due to some MSs not being present to cast their votes.
"Mae tair blynedd a hanner o waith wedi mynd i mewn i ddatblygu'r ddeddfwriaeth hon, gan gynnwys ymgysylltu gyda dros 300 o bobl sydd â phrofiad personol o ddigartrefedd, oedd eisiau gweld eu profiadau'n cael eu hadlewyrchu yn y bil."
'I'm a Lone Member'
Jane Dodds has missed 50% of votes over the last two full years in the Senedd and 63% in 2026.
On average, she has been absent for 39% of votes over the past five years.
In response, she said:
"Rwy'n aelod unigol, dwi'n rhywun sydd heb neb o'm cwmpas a dwi'n arweinydd plaid hefyd.
Pan fo blaenoriaethau llwyr, dwi wedi bod yno ar gyfer y ddeddfwriaeth sydd wedi'i phasio."
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