Plaid Cymru AM Lindsay Whittle says he will not be put off pressing the case for the Social Services Bill to include a ban on smacking children.
It follows the removal by Labour of Christine Chapman AM as chair of the Children and Young People’s Committee and Cardiff North AM Julie Morgan – both strong advocates of the move – along with Cardiff Central AM Jenny Rathbone.
Mr Whittle, who is a member of the Assembly’s Health Committee, said: “I will be pressing the case for a ban in the committee I sit on along with my Plaid colleague Simon Thomas in the Children’s Committee.
“The Labour Government’s attempt to block a clause to include a ban on smacking will not stop me pursuing the matter – because it is the right thing to do.
“My view always has been and remains that the physical punishment of children belongs in the dark ages not 2013.
“This issue has been bandied about for 10 years and that is far too long. There is general support from within the Assembly that smacking children should not be tolerated and it’s time for action.
“I want the Assembly to be the first to pass a law banning smacking and throwing out the defence of reasonable chastisement and that it happens in this, the fourth Assembly.”
The assembly needs to sort out the health service before they tell parents how to bring up their children.
A smack didn't hurt me as a youngster, not that I needed to have many of them.
I totally agree with Jan.our health service in South Wales is in a mess,people waiting for hours on end for a hospital bed and waiting months and months to see a specialist.
Underpaid nurses and carers and over paid AM members not forgetting the well over paid head of CCBC.
The Health Service is a mess, but I suppose that is the responsibility of the Labour Health Minister, Mark Drakeford AM.
In regards to smacking children; I was smacked, kicked, had my hair-pulled, sat on, had the slipper and other implements – it didn't do me any harm, but is it acceptable? Lindsay Whittle AM is right, smacking children belongs to the dark ages.
lago
I am sorry I don't agree, the lack of discipline and respect will only get worse if parents are not allowed to smack their children as a last resort.
It is time this country shaped up and perhaps the assembly needs to look at introducing a national service of sorts instead of telling parents how to bring up their children.