5. Statement by the Llywydd: Update on the establishment of a Youth Parliament for Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:26 pm on 23 May 2018.

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Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 4:26, 23 May 2018

(Translated)

Thank you, Bethan. It is delightful that some of the younger Members that we have here in this Senedd have led the debate on ensuring that we have a youth parliament. I am grateful to Bethan and others who have ensured that that discussion has stayed at the top of the agenda, and also to state that the youth parliament will have their own opinions—diverse opinions—and that they’ll be free to have their own opinions, and for those opinions to be uncomfortable and unexpected for us, as Members of the Assembly or the Government, on whatever point or subject that they choose.

The fact that there is an electronic voting system is very exciting. I’m really pleased that we’ve succeeding in establishing that. How long will it take us to establish an electronic voting system for general elections for local government and national Government here in Wales? That’s an issue that’s beyond the scope of my statement this afternoon.

In terms of the involvement of young people with political parties, when we consulted young people about the youth parliament, there was a strong opinion expressed in that consultation that they didn’t want the political parties to claim ownership of this youth parliament, or even to hijack, almost, the youth parliament. So, we haven’t created a system that promotes that—[Interruption.]