First Minister Mark Drakeford wants quantity of People in the Senedd to improve

First Minister Mark Drakeford has backed calls to increase the number of People in the Senedd.

There are presently 60 elected politicians, 40 who are elected from constituencies and 20 through the regional list.

Mr Drakeford told BBC Wales there is "enthusiasm" amongst an increasing number of MSs for that Senedd to alter.

He said he wants "to determine the Senedd properly fit to discharge its responsibilities".

The debate over enhancing the number of MSs continues to be happening for several years.

In 2021, an expert panel reported back saying there must be more elected representatives, up from 60 to between 80 and 90.

A poll the year after showed people were sceptical.

It is estimated it might cost lb6.6m each year for 20 additional members or lb9.6m each year for 30 additional members.

In 2021, intends to enlarge the Senedd were put on hold until following the 2021 election.

In January 2021 an Assembly committee, speaking prior to the name of the institution was changed in the Assembly towards the Senedd and when MSs were known as AMs, was told that more members were needed.

Cardiff University Professor Laura McAllister told that committee: "I believe AMs have a really quite remarkable workload. You can mitigate for as long as you like but unless there's a change in the amount of AMs then they is going to be doing things which are just avoiding being underpowered.

"There's nowhere else on the planet that is as underpowered as an institution viz a viz its powers than this institution".

Speaking to BBC Wales, Mr Drakeford said it could be for the Labour Party to take a view on enhancing the quantity of MSs but said: "I believe there is a significant tide across parties in the Senedd to grasp this difficult issue of making the Senedd fit for that responsibilities it now discharges.

"It's a very, completely different body towards the one that was formed in 1999.

"Ivor Richard said in his report in 2003 that the Senedd needed more members to do the job that it's asked to do for Wales.

"Now I believe we want simply to ensure the practicalities of this are properly understood and, when there is a momentum for this, it's not for that government to consider this forward, it is for that Senedd itself."

Within the build-up to the election in 2021, the Welsh Conservatives said they opposed any plans but Labour won probably the most seats.

The decision raises questions regarding the voting system Wales would use. In the wake of the 2021 Senedd election Prof McAllister argued any rise in quantity of MSs would automatically lead to questions regarding the voting system currently being used.

Mr Drakeford said: "It's a matter not only of numbers but it's a matter of method of election too, which is a thorny issue on which there are many views.

"There are still significant practical issues to work through. I hope the Senedd will get on with it."