Ban on Welsh politicians lying to come in by 2026
The move was announced in the Senedd last night.
The Welsh Government has committed to bringing in a ban on politicians lying.
Campaigners say its a significant development in the fight to restore faith in democracy.
The surprise move follows the tabling of an amendment by Welsh MS Adam Price to create a criminal offence of political deception.
The proposal had won the backing of the Welsh Conservatives, Plaid Cymru ,and Welsh Liberal Democrats but was originally opposed by the Labour Government.
Following a concerted campaign by members and the think-tank Compassion in Politics however, the Labour government gave way and committed to introduce its own Bill in the near future.
The move follows a four-year campaign by Compassion in Politics working at both Westminster and national parliaments. The original law drafted by the group was backed by three-quarters of the general public according to polling by Opinium.
Jennifer Nadel, Co-Director of Compassion in Politics said: “Public confidence in politicians is at an all-time low. This move is the beginning of a political re-set.
"Voters want honesty and this means that Wales will become the first country to insist that politicians and candidates are obliged by law to tell the truth.
"Lying in politics has for too long been normalised. Voters expect and deserve more and now they will have it.”