8. What is the Welsh Government doing to promote a kinder politics? OAQ53166

I thank Jack Sargeant. The Welsh Government will take measures in our forthcoming local government and elections Bill to promote a more diverse, inclusive and respectful politics in Wales. At the same time, we will stand alongside others to resist the tide of intimidation and bigotry that threatens to disfigure parts of public life in the United Kingdom.  

Can I thank the First Minister for his reply and say that I was very pleased to see him refer to a kinder approach to politics in his first speech as First Minister? He will know that I've been working hard to see a positive change in our politics, and I agree with him completely that the way in which we conduct ourselves makes a difference in a fractured and uneasy world. Now, Llywydd, we all have a part to play to promote a kinder style of politics, and I feel it's only appropriate that I do mention, as so many have today, the impact our late friend and colleague Steffan Lewis had on this topic. And Llywydd, again, we would go a long way if we were a little bit more like Steffan. Now, the Welsh Government, of course, has an important part to play in such change, including the culture and the way in which we bring kindness into public policy making. Would the First Minister agree with me that, in order to reach this ambition, we must all work together, including Members from across the Chamber, Ministers, the civil service and others? 

Llywydd, I absolutely agree that it is the job of us all to do what we can to promote the sort of kinder, more respectful politics that Jack Sargeant has spoken about this afternoon and, of course, has promoted during the whole time that he has been an Assembly Member. I was able to be in the Chamber during the first short debate that Jack held on a kinder politics here in Wales and, indeed, in the very sad context of today, I revisited that debate over the weekend and read again the contributions that Jack made, primarily, but there were contributions from across the Chamber. Julie Morgan spoke about the importance of a politics that has passion without poison. Adam Price drew attention to the work of that great black gay American novelist James Baldwin, and what we can learn from his experience. And Darren Millar said in his contribution that, challenging as it can be in the cut and thrust of debate here in the Assembly, our ambition as Assembly Members should be to be people who disagree well. And in the context of today, I think that ambition that we should be people who disagree when we do, but we do it in that spirit, is a good thought to leave with us this afternoon. 

Thank you, First Minister.