2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:31 pm on 10 May 2022.

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Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 2:31, 10 May 2022

I'd like to ask for a statement on the importance of democratic engagement. We've just come out of an election, and although they can be fractious, at their best elections are a celebration of community, connections between people, and the chance to change things. Trefnydd, I'm sure that you would join me in paying tribute to everybody who stood for election this past week, congratulating the people who won, but also thanking all those people who didn't get elected, because not winning elections can be bruising, but standing up for what you believe in matters. People should be commended for doing it, and, as a nation, I think we all owe them our thanks. But, Trefnydd, low turnout is still a stubborn problem. Too many people think that their voice doesn't count, particularly because of the first-past-the-post system. So, can we have a statement, please, outlining the importance of democratic engagement, and how that can be conveyed to children in school, to adults as well, so that everybody will feel motivated to get out and vote when we get to the next election?