10. Plaid Cymru Debate: Climate Justice

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:01 pm on 18 September 2019.

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Photo of Andrew RT Davies Andrew RT Davies Conservative 5:01, 18 September 2019

Thank you, Presiding Officer, and I move the amendment in the name of Darren Millar that's from the Conservative group today. And I would be one of the biggest supporters of young people expressing their views, taking part in action, but I do think that we do have to pause and reflect when we actually encourage students and pupils to come out of school on strike, and the damage that might do to individuals.

It was put on a radio station this morning—well, I can hear a sedentary voice; I'll happily take an intervention—but I was listening to the Jason Mohammad show, and there was a contributor who phoned in and said, 'Those who don't strike on Friday are climate change deniers.' And that is putting a lot of pressure on people who most probably believe fully in what is being done to improve the environment but, for whatever reason—it might be sitting an exam, it might be taking a mock paper, it might be a special needs lesson that is organised within the school setting—but because of peer pressure, feel that they have to leave that organised setting, because that's what school is—it's an organised setting, and there's a limited amount of time that teachers and the school have to put forward the curriculum and get through the curriculum—and if it is climate change this week, which we all support making positive moves on and positive actions, what's it to be next week? What's it to be the following week?

I want to empower young people to make sure they do get involved—. [Interruption.] I'll happily take an intervention from the Member for South Wales West, but I do think you do need to reflect on that point when you're calling on people to come out on strike from school, and people feel peer pressure to come out through those school gates, because that's what this motion is commending people to do that you have tabled here today.

And it is worth reflecting on the journey that we have undertaken over the last 20 to 30 years, and the improvements that have made, especially when we've kept economic growth going as well to make sure that the economy keeps employment levels. [Interruption.] Happily.