Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you for this opportunity to lead my first short debate in the Senedd on improving our democracy and political debate: why Wales must lead the way in creating and delivering a kinder politics. I'm also very pleased today to be giving a minute of my time to colleagues from across the Chamber, including Adam Price, Julie Morgan and Darren Millar.

I entered this Assembly during the hardest time of my life and my family's life, and for many of us it still is the hardest time of our lives. Back then, I pledged to my constituents, the people of the Labour Party and, indeed, people across Wales that I would play my part in delivering a kinder politics and also building on my dad's legacy. He embodied a kinder politics, with his ability and willingness to never be a bystander and always strive to work cross-party. He called out bullying when he saw it and supported people through their difficulties. I intend to do the same: to build a kinder politics, not just in politics itself, but kindness in life in general.

We will at times hurt people, because that is life. However, we should never intentionally do so, and we should all be conscious to be kinder to each other. To achieve that, we need fundamental change in culture. Change in culture of our politics to make it more accessible to the people that we represent, treating each other with respect, regardless of our views and listening to ideas and working across party divides for the good of the country, because that’s what the people expect from their elected representatives.

I believe this debate is a timely one, with recent news headlines and statistics revealing a rise in hate crime, politicians receiving hate messages online and public unease on the rise. A huge increase in social media, social and political challenges are all factors in why our modern politics has become a diverse and tribal one. For all the great progress we have made as a country, Wales is part of a UK that faces many divisions, not just on the issues of remain or leave, but young or old, north and south, rich and poor, urban and rural. Many people look to my party to lead the way and heal these divisions, but it is our duty, all of our duty, to play our own part and lead the change we need.

The next generation of people across Wales look to us to act in their interests. In the Senedd Oriel there is a display board with things that people from across Wales and further afield want to see, and in my first speech in the Senedd I said that I hoped, as a representative of a new generation in this Assembly, I could do something to build a better, kinder politics for all for the future. And this means getting more of the younger generation involved—our future generation with fresh ideas—in this place and in other political institutions.