What, then, does the Bill entail? Firstly, reducing the minimum voting age to 16 for the 2021 Assembly election—the Commission's objective is to empower and inspire young people to participate in the democratic process. Building on the work to elect Wales's first ever Youth Parliament last year, the Commission is collaborating with partners to expand the franchise to include 16 and 17-year-olds in time for the Assembly election in 2021. This provision goes hand in hand with the need for political education that will enable young people to understand their political rights and to increase participation in elections. The Commission is working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the appropriate information reaches as many young people as possible before this positive change comes into force.

Secondly, the Bill proposes renaming the Assembly 'Senedd'. Renaming the Assembly will ensure that the institution's name reflects its constitutional status and it will help to improve public understanding of the legislature’s role and responsibilities. The Bill contains a clause noting that the Senedd may also be referred to as 'Welsh Parliament', reflecting the opinion of many that the Bill needed an English explanatory term to reinforce the change in the institution’s status. This is a clear statement that 'Senedd' is now synonymous with 'parliament', rather than 'assembly'. The intention is that the change of name will come into force legally in May 2020 to ensure that the public are familiar with it in good time before the Welsh elections in 2021. This change will bring with it other connected changes—for example, the descriptor that appears after Members' names and the titles of bodies such as the Commission. Assembly Members will become Members of the Senedd—'Aelodau o’r Senedd' in Welsh, for example.

Thirdly, the Bill will reform the framework for ineligibility to be an Assembly Member. The Commission is introducing recommendations made by the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee in the fourth Assembly to change the law on eligibility to stand for election to the Assembly. The purpose of this change is to ensure clarity for potential candidates with regard to their eligibility to stand for election. The change will mean that most people will not have to resign from work before standing for election; such resignations would only become necessary if they are elected. In addition, this clause will prohibit Members of the House of Lords from being Assembly Members, unless they take a formal break from their work in Westminster.

The final element of the Bill proposes changes to the Assembly’s electoral and internal arrangements. These practical changes will introduce more flexibility following an election by extending the deadline for the Assembly’s first Plenary from seven days to 14 days. This will allow more time for the parties to hold important talks in moving towards electing a First Minister and forming a government. One of the other aims in this section is to clarify the Assembly Commission's right to charge for providing particular services to external bodies.

In addition, the Assembly Commission should consider, given that the Electoral Commission has responsibility for devolved elections, changing its financial and oversight arrangements. The Electoral Commission is of the view that it should be financed by and be accountable to the Assembly for its work in relation to the devolved elections, rather than the United Kingdom Parliament. This Bill, therefore, places a duty on the Senedd to consider this change, and should the Assembly recommend support for such a move, amendments may be introduced at Stage 2 to give effect to this.

The Bill will undergo extensive scrutiny in committee sessions and in Plenary. An explanatory memorandum has been made available to ensure clarity and transparency with regard to the financial implications of the Bill. Also, detailed assessments have been completed on the impact the plans would have on the Assembly’s official languages, equality and inclusion, children’s rights, the justice system, and other areas.

Of course, this Bill is just a starting point. In introducing it, it is my hope that the Bill will spark interesting and meaningful debate and encourage Members, stakeholders and the wider public to participate in the discourse on the future of our national Parliament. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Government for their co-operation to date. The Youth Parliament has proven to us, in such an encouraging way, that the next generation are eager to play their part. What better occasion than the twentieth anniversary of our Senedd to inspire them and to involve them directly alongside every other citizen in the opportunities that the next 20 years of our democracy and our Senedd will present? Thank you.