Darren Millar: I'm sorry, I didn't actually hear you set out the position of your party. But, look, here's the situation: the idea of a second referendum that your party is positing is absolutely absurd. Why would anybody expect the Labour Party to respect the result or outcome of a second referendum if you haven't respected the first? The truth is, and it's an inconvenient truth for you, I know, but Wales...
Darren Millar: Move.
Darren Millar: What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve NHS performance in north Wales?
Darren Millar: First Minister, one of the biggest risks for north Wales, as a result of climate change, is, of course, rising sea levels and flood risk. Last night, like many people in my constituency, I received a flood alert because of the vulnerability of flood defences along the coast in my constituency, including in Towyn and Kinmel Bay, where, 30 years ago, in February next year, we will be...
Darren Millar: 2. Will the Minister make a statement on permitted development rights in Wales? OAQ54650
Darren Millar: Thank you, Minister. I know very much about your sincere commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare, but I do think that the case that has already been cited by Vikki Howells demonstrates very clearly that the current voluntary arrangements in respect of CCTV in slaughterhouses in Wales are not working and that we do need to move to legislate on this as soon as possible. The UK...
Darren Millar: Thank you for that answer, Minister. I've been recently contacted by a number of people in my own constituency, in the Llanferres area, regarding concerns that they have about a development that appears to be taking place in the Big Covert area in the Clwyd forest. This is a situation where parcels of woodland appear to have been sold off piecemeal to individuals and, unfortunately, some of...
Darren Millar: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move amendment 102, tabled in my name, and wish to speak to those other amendments, which I've also tabled. If I can just say as well that I will be supporting David Melding's amendments in this group, all of which seek to impose a duty on secondary schools to promote awareness of elections for 16 and 17-year-olds. As regardless as to whether my...
Darren Millar: The number participating may well increase, but in terms of the percentage of overall voters entitled to vote, I would expect the addition of 16 and 17-year-olds in terms of extending the franchise to actually result in a lower turnout overall, which I think is something that is bad for democracy, actually. And I have to say, I haven't seen any evidence of 16 and 17-year-olds clamouring to...
Darren Millar: I don't think you can extrapolate the same for a referendum, which is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to vote, to the same sequence as regular elections for the National Assembly for Wales. One thing I do think that we need to focus on, of course, is increasing registration in terms of people being able to vote, and actually promoting opportunities for young people aged between 18 and 25...
Darren Millar: There are many young people, you're quite right, who are very engaged in politics, and those of course who come here to visit this institution are those who are likely to have a propensity to engage more than those who do not visit here. And of course, the overwhelming majority of young people in Wales have never visited any Parliament in the United Kingdom, let alone the National Assembly...
Darren Millar: Well, I wasn't around when those arguments were taking place. I appreciate that there were many wrong arguments used, and I'm very pleased that the Conservatives led the charge in extending the franchise for women's votes. [Interruption.] But I will say this, and I'll make the point again: there are opportunities for young people who are below the voting age, even now, to influence the...
Darren Millar: Well, they choose to exercise their right not to vote. We see that a lot in our constituencies, don't we? But the reality is that I don't see people clamouring at my door or, indeed, I expect, at your door, asking for the opportunity to vote when they're aged 16 and 17. I'll take the intervention from—.
Darren Millar: People below the age of 16 pay tax if they earn enough income. That's the reality in our society. So, are we arguing that a one-year-old who happens to have an income that is in excess of the tax threshold ought to have the vote? It's a preposterous argument, frankly. The point I'm making is that we are being inconsistent as politicians if we legislate to prevent young people from being able...
Darren Millar: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Obviously, I think there is a great deal of consensus in the Chamber around the extension of the franchise and I appreciate that and we've tested the view of the Assembly before. But I do find it quite bizarre that we're not having a wider discussion about those ages of responsibility. I appreciate the Llywydd made some reference in her contribution to the...
Darren Millar: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. This was a belt-and-braces type of amendment, in order to ensure that, should the voting franchise be extended to 16 and 17-year-olds, and my previous amendments in group 2 be rejected, then it was to ensure that there was an opportunity to review the legislation in terms of the operation of that legislation on the ground in relation to any extension of...
Darren Millar: Just briefly, Dirprwy Lywydd. I welcome very much the reassurances that have been given by the Counsel General in relation to the opportunity to make sure that there is post-legislative scrutiny and a robust process for that, should the franchise be extended as a result of the passage of this piece of legislation. On that basis, I will seek to withdraw the amendment that I have moved.
