David Melding: Not moved.
David Melding: Not moved.
David Melding: Not moved.
David Melding: Not moved.
David Melding: Not moved.
David Melding: Not moved.
David Melding: Diolch i chi, Llywydd. These issues have now been fully aired, but one fact remains: this momentous change in the franchise has not been fully scrutinised. In fact, it's not received any primary legislative scrutiny at the appropriate stages, when committees are able to look at the principle, call witnesses, ask for an explanation of how these changes may be applied in practice. There are all...
David Melding: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I move all of the amendments in this group, which are the only amendments. My intention here, Dirprwy Lywydd, is to reverse the amendments made by the Welsh Government at Stage 2, which extend the voting franchise to qualifying foreign citizens. I remain extremely frustrated by the ramshackle way in which the Welsh Government is forcing through such substantial...
David Melding: Not moved.
David Melding: Move.
David Melding: I think there are great advantages in setting it at 16, but I really found the connection to women suffrage strained and unhelpful, because we're talking about a really important principle here, and I think 16 to 18-year-olds would allow us to focus on a lot of education issues, a lot of care issues—looked-after children, for instance—and many parts of the political debate—future...
David Melding: Before I talk about the amendments I want to move, I think 16-year-olds should get the vote, but I have to say—[Interruption.] Oh no, you really should have waited. You really should have waited, because there's a sting in this tail, because I think the age at which people accede to universal political rights is a very important principle to set, and it could be set quite reasonably at 18.