WITH the list of powers devolved to Cardiff Bay seemingly getting longer by the day - and some very significant responsibilities for tax and other areas to be handed over in April - it was only a matter of time before someone asked if the Assembly has the capacity to handle it.

And that's just what the independent report issued yesterday which recommended increasing the number of AMs from 60 to at least 80, and possibly as many as 90, did.

Recommendations in the report include combining Newport East and West, as well as Monmouth and Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Islwyn and Caerphilly and Merthyr Tydfil, into single constituencies with between four and six AMs, with the overall idea of ensuring the Assembly has the manpower to properly develop, scrutinise and implement legislation.

There's a number of other suggestions in the report, including lowering the voting age to 16, bringing in a Single Transferable Vote system and legislating to require a 50-50 gender balance in the Assembly.

But before any of that happens it'll have to get past the public - and in the current climate the idea of more politicians doesn't seem likely to be one which will win much support.

With Brexit looking likely to cost us an awful lot of money and the President of the United States' Twitter account indistinguishable from that of a moody teenager, it would be forgivable for the proverbial Joe Public not to be terribly keen on the idea of bringing in more politicians.

While there's no legal obligation for a public vote on the proposal and word in the corridors of power is a referendum on the idea is an unlikely prospect, a lack of public support may kill the idea off in the cradle.

And Welsh Labour, which, lest we forget, is in control in the Senedd, has already said it won't make its own recommendations until its spring conference in 2019 - just two years before the 2021 Assembly Election, when the proposals would come into place. This would lead almost no time to pass legislation in time.

So yes, the recommendations are significant, and will completely revamp Wales' political system if they go ahead.

But there's an awful lot of hurdles to overcome - or fall over - before that happens.

  • The impact of the shocking death of Carl Sargeant last month is going to be felt in the Welsh Assembly for years to come.

And now it looks like his legacy will live on in a very real way after the former minister's son Jack announced he would put himself forward as the Labour candidate in the by-election to fill his father's vacant former seat of Alyn and Deeside, which will be held in February.

Assuming the party picks the 23-year-old as its candidate - and not doing so would surely be a very, very foolish move given the anger already directed at the party both from outside and within it for its perceived role in Mr Sargeant's death - surely the result will be a foregone conclusion?

The unproven allegations which had been made against the former communities and children secretary aside, it's clear how loved he was within his constituency and further afield.

So surely his son stepping into his shoes is more than fitting.

Even those convinced Labour is to blame for Mr Sargeant's death would be likely to jump on board out of loyalty.

It's even possible opposition parties may step aside and let him run uncontested.

After all, what political candidate would want to oppose the son of the man who died in such tragic circumstances continuing his father's his work?

So it looks as if Carl Sargeant's legacy will live on in a very real way. And rightly so.