9. Short Debate: Improving our democracy and political debate: Why Wales must lead the way in creating and delivering a kinder politics

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:38 pm on 19 September 2018.

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Photo of Julie James Julie James Labour 6:38, 19 September 2018

I couldn't agree with you more, Angela. One of the things that we've been very pleased to be doing is collecting a series of positive stories from around Wales to get them into the media, and to interest journalists in better magazine-type pieces than the kind of stuff that you're talking about.

I wanted to finish by saying that without young role models like Jack, it's very difficult to get that picture across, and I would encourage all of you—. So, one of the things I do, and I speak in a lot of schools—I know Suzy does and Caroline does because I see them there, because they're from the same bit as me—I speak to a lot of young people in schools, a really diverse range of people, and I say, 'Look, you'll have heard all that stuff about politicians, you'll have heard that women politicians get a load of grief and all the rest of it, and some of that is true. But I do this job because I love it and because, actually, it really is a valuable thing to do. You come to realise that you're doing something that's very important and, actually, you have a serious chance to change the way that your nation does certain things.' That's the thing that we need to get across, because it's lost in the gloss of difficulty and the lack of kindness. But if we were to show the kind of strength that Adam talked about in kindness, and Julie talked about as well, in the way that we debate things, if we were to show some of that consensus and the real satisfaction you get out of doing a public service—not just an elected one, other public service lives are possible—then we will get a kinder sort of politics, because we will be emphasising the part of our job that is that part and not emphasising the part of our job that is the kind of cut and thrust that you sometimes get in First Minister's questions and all the rest of it. And I don't think there's anything wrong with us pointing out that, actually, Darren's rather more of a pussycat outside the Chamber than he sometimes is—to quote my colleague Kirsty Williams. Not to spoil your reputation, Darren. [Laughter.] But, also, that we do have more in common than that which divides us, and I think, Deputy Presiding Officer, that's a good place to stop. Thank you, Jack, for the debate.