Item 1, therefore: election of the Presiding Officer, under Standing Order 6.

Item 1, election of the Presiding Officer, under Standing Order 6. I therefore invite nominations, under Standing Order 6.6.

I'd like to nominate Elin Jones.

Thank you. Lynne Neagle has nominated Elin Jones. Do we have a Member from a different political group to second the nomination?

It's my pleasure to second that nomination.

Thank you.

Are there any other nominations?

I'd like to nominate Russell George for the position of Llywydd. As a former committee Chair, Russ has proven himself to be fair and impartial. Russ has been an integral part of this Senedd now for 10 years, and all Members know that he would look after their interests both equally and fairly. I hope that Members can support Russell George as Presiding Officer.

Thank you. Do we have a Member from a different political group to second the nomination?

I second the nomination.

Thank you, Alun Davies.

Are there any other nominations? We have more than one nomination. I would ask each candidate to make a short contribution, in the order in which they were nominated. Elin Jones.

Thank you, chair, clerk. I'm very grateful for the nomination and for that nomination being seconded, and I accept that nomination. I'd like to congratulate every Member elected to this sixth Senedd. Many of you are new faces, and I congratulate you particularly. Some of us have been elected for the sixth time—four of us, and the class of 1999 is shrinking fast; there are few of us left.

I look around me and I see a Senedd elected that feels strong and robust, with every one elected to support the existence of our national Parliament, and most here want to see the Senedd empowered further.

The people of Wales last week stamped their authority on its Senedd. This sixth Senedd will be free to focus on the job in hand, without unnecessary distractions. As your Llywydd, I'd want to enable emboldened scrutiny of Government, I'd want to ensure enhanced opportunities for backbench contribution from all parties, and also to examine all sorts of ways in which we can work in new, innovative ways.

This Llywydd election is a neighbourly election—the Members for Montgomeryshire and for Ceredigion. I guess that in olden times we would have sorted that out as a duel at dawn on the mountains of Pumlumon, but this feels far safer and we'll both live to tell the tale, Russell.

So, I'd be privileged to serve as your Llywydd in this Senedd. And I'll say this for the very last time this May: please vote for me.

Russell George.

Diolch, cadeirydd. Can I thank my neighbour for those kind comments? Can I thank Laura Anne Jones for the nomination, and Alun Davies for seconding that nomination? I'm delighted to accept that nomination this afternoon.

If elected Llywydd, Members can be assured that all the decisions will be rooted in the Standing Orders. I can certainly say that I would like to think that all Members of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee could testify to my independence and impartiality as Chair. As Presiding Officer, I would maintain a rigorous independence in dealing with matters in this Senedd; I will not attend Conservative group meetings if elected Llywydd.

I come with no political agenda, other than serving Members equally and fairly, and will respect the views of Members in relation to what happens next with potential electoral reform. I will not block change, but neither will I be the driver of that change. I will do more to ensure a role for the voice of backbenchers. I will seek to increase the number of ballots for private Members' legislation, which fell significantly during the fourth and fifth Senedds, and I look to increase the amount of speaking slots for Government backbenchers in debate particularly.

The Conservative group has never held the role of Presiding Officer and only once held the role of Deputy Presiding Officer. This Senedd has to be more inclusive, especially as we are clearly the second party in this Chamber. I believe every Senedd is different and this needs to be reflected in every Senedd also. So, I pledge that, if elected Llywydd, I will not seek a second term. I hope Members will give serious consideration to supporting me in this afternoon's ballot. 

Thank you. I will now suspend the meeting to conduct the secret ballot. Voting will take place in the Neuadd. The ballot will not close until all Members intending to vote have done so. Members in the Chamber will go to vote first, followed by Members from offices on the second floor and, finally, the third floor in Tŷ Hywel. Please stay at your desks until you're summoned to vote. Ushers will help direct Members to the Neuadd. Further guidance for this process has been outlined in the document circulated to Members, and I will ask Members to remind themselves of that guidance.

As clerk, I am responsible for overseeing the voting and the counting. After the secret ballot count is complete, the bell will be rung so that we may reconvene in the Siambr and on Zoom for the announcement of the result. I now suspend the meeting. 

Plenary was suspended at 15:11.

The Senedd reconvened at 15:50, with Manon Antoniazzi in the Chair.

Order. The result of the secret ballot is as follows: Elin Jones 35 votes, Russell George 25 votes, no abstentions, total votes 60. I therefore declare that, in accordance with Standing Order 6.9, Elin Jones is elected Presiding Officer of the Senedd. I will now suspend the meeting for a short time before the Llywydd takes the Chair. [Applause.]

Plenary was suspended at 15:51.

The Senedd reconvened at 15:53, with the Presiding Officer (Elin Jones) in the Chair.

We will reconvene. Thank you all for your support and for electing me as Llywydd once again.