Group 2: Extension of right to vote to persons aged 16 and 17, and associated electoral registration (Amendments 102, 3, 4, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 86, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 43, 125, 126, 101, 100)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:54 pm on 13 November 2019.

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Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 4:54, 13 November 2019

There are many young people, you're quite right, who are very engaged in politics, and those of course who come here to visit this institution are those who are likely to have a propensity to engage more than those who do not visit here. And of course, the overwhelming majority of young people in Wales have never visited any Parliament in the United Kingdom, let alone the National Assembly for Wales. So, I don't think that your argument actually holds water.

I know that there are some who are perfectly mature, perfectly well informed, but the majority aren't, and that's why I think this element of education first is absolutely essential in terms of equipping people ready to be responsible citizens who take part in the democratic opportunities that they have when elections come, rather than not. And the reality is, as you quite rightly have said—because you've engaged with young people, and we all engage with young people in this Chamber—that those young people have the opportunity to influence their politicians, regardless of whether they have a vote, or not. Many of us in this Chamber joined the political parties that we represent before we were entitled to vote.

I can see many interventions there. I'll take one first from your colleague.