Welsh Youth Parliament 3 - Plenary

Bore da, Llywydd. My name is Ben Harris, and I'm the Welsh Youth Parliament Member for Delyn. I'm delighted to have been asked by the transport committee to update the Youth Parliament on our work so far this term. I thank my fellow members of the committee and the Senedd staff who, for reasons unknown to God or man, think I can be trusted to stand and talk about trains and not go over time—yes, good luck with that.

So, I've been asked, ‘Why is transport a priority for this Youth Parliament? Why is it being made a priority when we've got such gripping issues like poverty and crime affecting Wales?’ As a committee, we acknowledge that fighting poverty is far more important than improving transport, but, my friends, the two issues do not contradict each other; we can do both and we should do both.

We've seen very good news regarding transport by the Welsh Government. To a man, as a committee, we're delighted by the £1 cap on bus fares, and it's important to note that this was a recommendation by previous Welsh Youth Parliament transport reports. Whilst we can't claim full credit for convincing the Welsh Government—we give Jane Dodds and Ken Skates their fair share—it's always refreshing to see the priorities of the Welsh Government reflect the priorities of the Welsh Youth Parliament.

As a committee, our report is going to focus on accessibility—accessibility through cost, accessibility through safety and accessibility through overcoming other barriers. Now, my friend Bryn is going to lead us through accessibility through cost, and my friend Zjackaria is going to lead us through the next steps for this committee. However, it falls to me to discuss how we're going to improve accessibility through safety and accessibility through overcoming other barriers.

Regarding safety, it's fairly simple, my friends: if you do not feel safe onboard a train or onboard a bus, then you will not travel, and that is unacceptable. Trains and buses can't compete with cars and taxis in every field, but they can, should and must be able to compete on safety. The fact that this is not already a priority is disgraceful.

These other barriers I mentioned, they're a bit more complicated—they're a more rural issue, which is why it falls to me, as a north Wales Member of this Parliament, to discuss them. Many of my constituents in Delyn face quite long walks to the nearest bus stop because public transport just doesn't reach all of the communities it should. Towns like Mold and Holywell, which should be connected to the railway network, are not. Once they get to these far-off bus stops, many of my constituents face long waits for the next bus. Some buses run only every two hours. The small village of Tafarn-y-gelyn in Denbighshire sees only two buses a day, despite being on the T8 TrawsCymru route—a route sponsored by the Welsh Government. The barrier of frequency is not confined to our bus network—it reaches to the railways too. If you're in Aberystwyth, you might see a train every two hours along the Cambrian line. The Conwy valley line and the Heart of Wales line are even worse. One more barrier that we must overcome is that of capacity. How often have we seen a train with only two carriages? How often has a Transport for Wales train been full and standing only? Colleagues, this is not acceptable.

Very shortly, you'll have the pleasure of hearing me stop speaking, and Zjackaria is going to lead us on the next steps for this committee. Suffice it to say, we will research the issues by talking to young people, and we will research the solutions by talking to young people, Ministers, transport companies and local authorities. But, first, I must hand you over to my friend Bryn, who's going to give you a much better speech in a much more beautiful language regarding the cost of public transport. Diolch, Llywydd. Thank you, colleagues.

Bryn Geary, therefore—the Welsh Youth Parliament Member for Newport East. Bryn.

Good morning, friends, and thank you, Llywydd. My name is Bryn and I represent Newport East and the public transport committee at the Youth Parliament. As Ben has already mentioned, and as Zjack will outline, I’m sure, in a moment, we will focus this year on concerns regarding the accessibility of public transport in Wales for young people. Now, my job today is to explain how access difficulties can be attributed to a great extent to increasing costs that prevent families from being able to justify the routine use of public transport.

Presently, public transport does not seem to be enough of a viable option.

How, then, can we attempt to prevent traffic jams along the M4 corridor, or encourage rural populations in Gwynedd or Denbighshire to use local services if there appears to be a more convenient option?

Transport for Wales’s business plan for 2024-25 states the intention that the people of Wales will choose to use active travel methods or public transport to reach their destinations, rather than travelling by car. As a committee, we stand firmly behind this principle. However, Sustrans Cymru found, in a 2022 report, that while fuel costs increased around 10 per cent, there was a significant increase of between 33 per cent to 55.7 per cent in the cost of travelling by train, bus or coach. Does this not suggest, from the point of view of young people and families in particular, that the ability to afford to choose not to travel by car and to travel more sustainably is becoming increasingly difficult? As a committee, we will seek to tackle this problem by making a series of recommendations and undertaking research to enable us to advise the Government, whilst also holding them to account.

Now, in hearing from my fellow pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed on Wednesday, we will learn more about the problem of affordability when it comes to train tickets for young people. According to article 27.3 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UNCRC, governments are expected to support parents in maintaining the quality of life of young people. The Welsh Government adopted the convention as the basis for policy making for children in 2004, so it follows that the Government has a duty to consider costs for families and children, with a 'child' defined by the Government in the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 as a person under the age of 18. This is in stark contrast to the fact that children in Wales are forced to pay adult fares on trains from the age of 16. A first step for the Welsh Government and TfW, perhaps, would be to consider how financial or bureaucratic barriers stand between them and their objective of a change in people’s habits, leading to less of a dependence on cars in Wales.

As a committee, we look forward to meeting a number of figures from the transport sector in Wales. We hope, with the same attitude that led to the introduction of £1 bus fares—which, as my colleague mentioned, is an excellent idea—that we will see the same success in dealing with barriers to travel by rail, with the ultimate aim of co-ordinating urban bus services with inter-regional trains to create a holistic, affordable network for the benefit of the people of Wales, of all ages. Thank you very much for listening, and thanks again to the Llywydd for everything that she has done and contributed to the lives of young people in Wales. Thank you.

Zjackaria Meah is next. You're the representative of Neath, Castell-nedd.

Diolch, Llywydd. It's an honour to be here.

Good morning. My name is Zjackaria Meah and I'm the Youth Parliament Member for Neath.

In our recent committee meetings, we’ve had many discussions around what our top three priorities as a committee will be from the wide list of issues that have been mentioned earlier. The discussions are still ongoing, but the issue that came up the most was that we should improve accessibility on buses and trains. Transport must be affordable, reliable and accessible for all young people.

Transport is not just about travelling; it is about being able to get to school, college, work and healthcare. We believe transport should be affordable, reliable and easy for everyone to use. Secondly, we should strengthen rural services in north, mid and west Wales, the areas that are deprived the most from this transport. Reliable transport is crucial for rural communities and must meet local needs. Young people in these communities often face long waits, limited services, and sometimes no service at all. Your postcode shouldn't decide what chances you get. Reliable transport is essential to making sure that everyone has equal opportunities.

Thirdly, safety on public transport is a key priority for our committee. We believe that public transport should be safe and comfortable for all young people to use, and anti-social behaviour should be tackled. Young people should feel safe when they are travelling, no matter the time of day or where they live. In my ideal future, I also wish that public transport were a safer and more accessible choice, so that people can be more connected and can travel without worrying if they will be safe or if the service is on time.

Article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that the right to education is for all children, making primary education compulsory, and transport should not be a barrier to this. After today's meeting, we’ll be speaking with experts, including Transport for Wales, to explore the best ways forward. We have also written to the Cabinet Secretary for transport, Ken Skates, to ask for an update on the recommendations of the previous Youth Parliament's report, ‘Sustainable Ways’, and we look forward to the Cabinet Secretary's response. Diolch, Llywydd.

Thank you very much, and that concludes the updates from the public transport committee. We will now turn to the cost-of-living and poverty committee, who will provide us with the next update. I call on Taliesin Evans, the Youth Parliament Member for Torfaen.

Diolch, Llywydd. Bore da, pawb. My name is Taliesin Evans, and I am representing both Torfaen and the cost-of-living and poverty committee, speaking to you today about why I chose it as an option. It is, of course, a privilege to be speaking in the Welsh Youth Parliament once again. I personally believe that this is the most important committee by far, as the increase in the cost of living has affected us all at some point in our lives, whether that be from noticing the higher prices of everything, from food to homes and from clothes to public transport—not one of us can say that we have truly avoided it.

It felt imperative to me to choose this as the committee to represent, as Torfaen is one of the most economically deprived counties in the entirety of Wales. There are a significant amount of people who I know, some very close friends of mine, that are currently on free school meals. I would like to also welcome the Labour Party's proposal for the removal of the two-child benefit cap. I do personally think this is a bit late, but a phenomenal step in the right direction for the amelioration of child poverty.

Evidence from Torfaen itself shows that Abersychan comprehensive school, which has the highest number of children on free school meals, consistently has the lowest GCSE results in the county, while St Alban’s RC High School, with the fewest children on free school meals, achieves the best results by far, and some of the best in Wales. This pattern, to put it lightly, is damning. From my father's experience as a teacher for about 25 years, I know that these outcomes are not due to the quality of teaching, but the ongoing cycle of poverty. Investing in economic development in severely deprived areas, especially in the north of Torfaen, where I'm from, would help to support families now and strengthen opportunities for generations to come.

I will now hand over to Chase, and he will talk about what we have been up to as a committee. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Chase Campbell, Blaenau Gwent Member.

Diolch, Llywydd. Bore da, I'm Chase Campbell, the Welsh Youth Parliament Member for Blaenau Gwent. The cost-of-living and child poverty crisis is of particular importance to me and my constituents, as young people who have grown up in the shadow of Welsh industrial decline, poverty and deprivation, which impact every aspect of our lives. From getting to school every day to wider social mobility issues, finances are often the biggest barrier to young people in Blaenau Gwent and across our country.

Since our first meeting back in February, our committee has met several times regionally to discuss and share our ideas for how we can play our role in combating a crisis that goes far beyond our power. Through our imminent report next year, I do hope we can make an impact and influence the Government to make policies that have us as a priority rather than a second thought. So, what topics did we cover? Well, we covered a range of perspectives, including the educational maintenance allowance and how the positive impacts it brings can be expanded, foodbanks and how they’ve become a necessity for ever more Welsh families, the provision and potential expansion of free school meals, and the opportunities and support that a regeneration of youth clubs could bring to our country.

Wider issues that were raised during our meetings in Swansea, Newport, Conwy and across Wales were how tight finances can restrict our accessibility to travel, socialise and develop our social skills, leading to yet more missed opportunities playing a role in generational poverty. We also acknowledge that child poverty is statistically more prevalent for the young people of Wales than it is for the other British nations, with one in three children here experiencing poverty, and that we could possibly learn from the other nations' progress against this issue.

Of course, the issues that our committee are here to help tackle are vast, and so we cannot turn it around overnight. This is why we plan to narrow down our focus to find a realistic impartial solution for us to help improve the lives of thousands of young people across Cymru. Take, for example, a recommendation to rebirth our local youth clubs, to give young people a safe space to socialise, develop skills and gain access to invaluable opportunities to help them and, in turn, all of us, to make a Wales that is brighter, fairer and more prosperous for us all. Thank you. Diolch.

Grace Lee is next, the Member for Bridgend, Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr.

Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. I’m Grace and I represent Bridgend. I'll be discussing the next steps that the cost-of-living and poverty committee will be taking. I decided to join the cost-of-living and poverty committee because poverty is undoubtedly a massive problem throughout the country that needs to be tackled, especially by young people who are in a position like us. I care deeply about helping people who cannot help themselves, and I think we can all agree that help is exactly what's needed for thousands of people in Wales who face struggles with poverty every single day as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, especially young people.

Over the past few months during regional and online meetings, the cost-of-living and poverty committee has been working towards narrowing down the topics we have discussed to three key issues that we will continue to explore together. From these three issues, we will soon be choosing our main focus for the rest of the Welsh Youth Parliament's term.

One of these options is youth services. We discussed how we could improve links between schools and youth clubs in order to ensure consistency between education and free time for young people.

The second option would be housing. We've talked about how we could improve the affordability, quality and stability of housing for young people across Wales. As part of this, we have discussed how we could tackle homelessness as a Welsh Youth Parliament.

Our final option is establishing stable and healthy food support. We touched upon doing this through establishing free school meals in all schools, not just primaries, and working with foodbanks to implement more nutritious and locally sourced food into them for those who struggle to afford healthy food to receive.

These three options were the result of various conversations we had about regional differences in poverty and facilities, wages, employment and benefits, housing and energy costs, and financial support for students and young adults across Wales.

Shortly after the upcoming Senedd election, the cost-of-living and poverty committee will be deciding whether we will be focusing on youth services, housing or food support. This decision will be based on the discussions we have had during the past few meetings, and will have in the near future, as well as the main priorities of the future Welsh Government after the May election.

With our three potential future priorities in mind, the cost-of-living and poverty committee is looking forward to welcoming several external guest speakers today who are experts in their fields into our committee discussions this afternoon, to hear about some of the most recent reports from the Government and other cost-of-living crisis experts. Whichever issue the committee chooses to focus on in the near future, I am fully confident that we will progress greatly towards tackling poverty amongst young people in Wales. Diolch yn fawr.

Thank you very much, Grace. That concludes the committee updates, and thank you very much for the work that you've done and will do in future.

The next item on the agenda is a series of 90-second statements. The theme of these statements will be the 2026 Senedd election.

Before we move on to the next item on the agenda, the 90-second statements, can I just welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Education to our midst as well? Thank you for making the time today. There was a session at the start of this event, Lynne, thanking me for my contribution to the Senedd Ieuenctid over the past three Youth Parliaments, but an ever-present participant with the Youth Parliament along that journey has been Lynne Neagle herself as a politician, in her various roles. I've stayed in the same role the whole time, but you've carried three roles, I think, in that time. You've carried the role of the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee during that first Youth Parliament, and then the Minister with responsibility for mental health, which was one of the aspects of work both Youth Parliaments undertook, and now you're the Cabinet Secretary for Education, and once again, taking an active interest in the work of young people here in Wales. A little known fact for you all: both Lynne Neagle and myself are probably the only two Members of the original Senedd in 1999 who will be contesting the 2026 elections. So, there are only two of us left from when we were first elected into this Chamber in 1999, as a National Assembly for Wales. So, thank you for attending today, and we'll hear from you later.

So, we are going on to the 90-second statements. The first one is Aelod Ynys Môn, Annest Tomos.

Good morning. My name is Annest Wyn Tomos, and I represent Ynys Môn. As we approach the election in May 2026, we should acknowledge our role as Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament in encouraging everyone to vote. This will be the second time that young people aged 16 and above will be able to vote, and as representatives of young people in Wales, we have a responsibility to ensure that everyone understands their vote’s importance, and to encourage them to register to vote promptly, bearing in mind that only 40 per cent of young people aged between 16 and 17 registered to vote in time for the 2021 election.

Voting offers an excellent opportunity for the public to influence decisions made by the Senedd—decisions that affect public services, the economy, the environment and daily life. We are also aware that many lost out on the opportunity to cast their vote due to a lack of knowledge or a misunderstanding of the registration process. We should try to make the process clearer, so that nobody misses this opportunity to have their say. So, let us work together over the coming months to ensure that every person in Wales knows how to register so that this opportunity is not lost. Thank you very much.

Oliver Higgins is next, the Member for Ogmore.

Good morning, Members. I'm Oliver Higgins, the Member for Ogmore. Honourable Members, the winds of change, I think it's fair to say, are sweeping through Wales. It feels as though politics is having a tectonic shift not seen in a century. Although it is said of most elections, I think we would all agree, irrespective of varying political persuasions, next year will truly be the most important election in the quarter-century history of this legislature.

Again, irrespective of personal politics, we Members and the wider youth see, in most aspects of life, crisis and gloom. My speech on the state of agriculture months back highlighted the strife felt by young farmers in our country, yet also through the speeches made by the rest of you here. They displayed these feelings of crisis among the youth amidst poverty and public safety, to name a few issues. Thus, in such a winter of discontent we enter now, to not vote would negate a tradition of civic duty and remove any ability to complain against a Government ultimately given, no matter the rosette they wear. Even if no party or independent has convinced you their way, I advise you: spoil your vote, and still have your vote counted. Participate. And please think carefully on your vote. The future of our nation is in your hands, don't drop it at the first hurdle. Thank you.

Mirac Solmaz is next, the partner elected Member for Tros Gynnal Plant Cymru.

Hello. My name is Mirac, I represent TGP Cymru. Being young means having fresh ideas, bold dreams, and the power to shape what comes next. Every vote is a voice, and when young people across Wales speak up together, people listen. Elections aren't just about ticking a box. They're about saying, 'This is my future, and I care about it.' That's why it's so important that we register, show up, and use our voice. Schools, colleges, and youth groups can make a huge difference by helping us understand how elections work, what's changing in the Welsh system, and why every single vote counts.

For me, it's about fairness, opportunity, and having our generation's ideas heard. When we vote, we're not just choosing leaders, we are choosing the kind of Wales we want to build. So, let's turn up, speak out, and shape our future, because our voices are stronger together, and it all starts with your vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Mirac. Aryan Gupta, the Member for Llanelli, is next, and the First Minister for the day—I've told you, you're sitting in the First Minister's chair.

Diolch yn fawr. I would like to begin this by first of all stating how important this election is. I know many Members of this Welsh Youth Parliament are either part of a political party, not part of a political party, or will be like me, who is suffering from the rise of something called political homelessness, where we are isolated and have no idea who we want to vote for. We only care about policy, and not the alignment towards any party. To those who feel like me, I want to tell you this: please cast your vote. It is so essential for all of us to please cast our vote for this, because it is a rare opportunity where we get the youth to actually contribute towards an election that shapes our future.

Whether you want to stay in Wales, whether you want to go towards the UK or study abroad, your voice makes such a massive impact in this election. So, if you feel like me in this regard, I please advise you, look towards what parties have to offer. Look towards what they feel makes sense for you and your values, and make a conscious decision towards that vote. And please make sure that you are informed on it, that you have the right information, and that you take everything into account before you begin your voting process. It's a massive thing. It will be my first ever vote towards something. I'm incredibly nervous for it, but it's something that is so important towards every one of us who stands here today. Diolch yn fawr. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Aryan. Ffiôn-Hâf Scott is next, the Member for Carers Trust Wales.

Thank you. My name is Ffiôn-Hâf, and I represent the Carers Trust.

Since I was very young, I've been caring for my mother every day. I was always worried about her health, but also worried about not missing out on things like education, work, friends and so on. Nobody was talking to me at that time about my rights as a young carer or my right to have a voice in decisions that impact my life, and never about my right to vote or what that could mean. That highlights why it's crucial for schools, colleges and youth groups to raise awareness, not only about the role of young carers, but also about how democracy works and why it's crucial for us as the next generation to be heard.

The Senedd election in May is an opportunity for young people to make a huge difference, but only if they know how to register, how voting works, and why it's important. At the moment, there isn't much in place to ensure that young people make informed choices on their future and rights.

Young carers often feel invisible. At least 15,000 young carers between the ages of 16 and 24 will be eligible to vote in the next Senedd elections, but, unfortunately, because of a lack of information, it is likely that many will not vote. Let us ensure that they know that they deserve a strong voice, that we have a right to be heard. Democracy belongs to us all, and it's time for schools, colleges and youth groups to prepare us to participate. We should build our rights, information about voting and information about the Senedd into the curriculum and start to do things like mock elections more often, as many of us have mentioned in the residential already. Everyone should make an effort to reach out to young people of all backgrounds and status, and we should do far better than we currently are doing. We, as young people, have a right to this information, but we shouldn't have to go out of our way to find that information. Thank you.

My journey in politics started in a mock election in my school, Lampeter Comprehensive, in 1983. I won't tell you who I stood for in that election—it's slightly embarrassing for me these days—but I did win.

Right, Jake Dillon is next, from sir Drefaldwyn. Jake.

Thank you, Llywydd. I am Jake Dillon and I represent Montgomeryshire. I will be speaking about an issue that I believe people should go out to vote for. In 1998, the Human Rights Act was passed into British law. It outlined fundamental rights that cannot be compromised. These include life, dignity and protection from inhumane treatment. To many of my constituents today, these rights are now under threat. This is because of the closure of Welshpool air ambulance base. This has left my community without rapid emergency care. To add insult to injury, there haven't been any A&E units in my area for over five years, with the closest A&E units being in Aberystwyth or Shrewsbury, which for some members of my community is over an hour’s drive away. Healthcare is a right that most of us take for granted. Now my constituents are being forced to wait an extra 30 minutes for air ambulance treatment under the current plans.

Where is the dignity in being made to wait defenceless for another area's healthcare to save you after you've had a horrific car accident or agricultural injury? To put it plainly, people are going to suffer and, unfortunately, die under these new approved plans. They are not fit for purpose. This is another example of decisions being made without thought of the affected places. Why is it always rural areas that are punished? Why are we always punished for not living in areas like Swansea, Cardiff and Wrexham? Why is it always our services that are first to be taken away from us? But, as young people, we can make our voices heard and make sure that disgraceful decisions like the closure of the air ambulance bases are better scrutinised and their effects better thought through. That is why I encourage all young people to go out and vote in next year's election and be aware of local issues so they can use that to cast their vote. Thank you.

Diolch, Jake. Tammi Tonge is next, and she's a partner member for Learning Disability Wales. Tammi.

Diolch, Llywydd. Hello, my name is Tammi Tonge, and I'm representing Learning Disability Wales. Today I want to talk about an issue that affects many lives: making sure that our public transport is accessible for disabled people. Day-to-day life can be more difficult for disabled people, like getting a bus to school or college every day. I get a bus every other day for free, but some students have to pay. This makes it harder for them to get to college as some can't afford it. When you reach the age of 19 years old, you normally have to pay for transport to school or college. But young people with a learning disability are more likely to be in school or college up to the age of 25. Many can't travel independently, so it’s not fair that they should have to pay to get to college. I believe young disabled people should have free transport up to the age of 25.

I also want to encourage young people with a learning disability to vote in the next Senedd election on 7 May 2026. It's really important for young disabled people to get involved and have their voices heard about things like education, transport and health. Learning Disability Wales has easy-read information about voting and elections on their website. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Diolch, Tammi. Grace Oluwafemi is next, the Member for Cardiff South and Penarth. Grace.

Diolch. Young people of Wales, today I want to speak directly to you because you have the power to shape the future of our nation. Our generation understands the challenges ahead in a way no-one else does. We feel the pressure, the urgency and the hope for change and we know what truly matters. I reckon climate change is not a distant threat, it's happening now, shaping the world we will inherit. When you look at party manifestos, ask yourself: who is serious about protecting our planet, who has a real practical plan to confront the climate crisis? I reckon our future depends on those answers.

I reckon education is another issue that touches every part of our lives—student debt, tuition fees, access to training and opportunities. These things decide not only what we can achieve, but how freely we can build our futures. So, I reckon we should examine what each party says: would their promises support young people or place more barriers in our way? And I reckon they are the everyday struggles we talk about openly. Mental health, equality, secure jobs, affordable housing, digital rights, I reckon these are the foundations of a fair and modern Wales. They determine whether this country becomes a place where young people can thrive, where we can plan a future with confidence, not uncertainty.

But here is the most important truth: your vote matters. I reckon it is more than a right, it is a responsibility. It is your voice, your chance to shape the Wales you want to live in. No-one else can make that choice for you. So, take the time to read the manifestos, think about the issues that matters most to you. Vote for what reflects your values, your priorities and your hope. Your future truly is worth that effort.

And to the Senedd: I reckon you should listen to the young people of Wales. We are not just tomorrow's generation, we are today's, and we are demanding a future that works for all of us. Thank you.

Thank you Grace. Liz Bartlett is next, Member for Islwyn.

There we go. Thank you, Callum. Bore da, pawb. I'm Liz Bartlett, the Member for Islwyn. I'd like to address this speech not only to the young people in this room, but to the young people watching on Senedd.tv, to the young people watching this as a clip on social media, to our constituents and to the young people of Wales.

Next year, on 7 May, the young people of Wales were given an opportunity to have our voices heard. Thanks to the new proportional voting system, a reduction in wasted votes, we will truly be able to influence Welsh politics. Our Senedd is responsible for devolved matters such as transport, education and health, and it's undergoing a transformation. I hope that you will take the time to learn about it.

I invite you to reach out to your Welsh Youth Parliament representative in your constituency or your partner organisation and to ask your school or college to invite the Senedd education team to visit. Remember, in Senedd elections, 16 and 17-year-olds have the right to vote, as well as many foreign nationals, and Senedd elections do not require a voter ID. Ultimately, as a resident of Wales, it's imperative that you research the candidates running in your constituency, and, as young people, we mustn't allow ourselves to be disenfranchised by simple ignorance, misunderstanding or lack of education. I implore you to register to vote on the gov.uk website and use your voice to create a better future for us all. Diolch.

Anna Martin is next, Member for Gower, Gŵyr.

Today, I would like to speak about the upcoming May elections, how we, as young people, have been given a purpose, a chance, an opportunity to have our say and cast our vote. Now, why is it vital that we act upon this? Well, participation in democracy has always been significant, and if we put faith not only into the hands of the democratic system, but into ourselves, we can make an impact on the future of our nation, the future of Wales. This is why it is important that we understand the changes being implemented into our electoral system.

So, I'd like to introduce these adjustments to you. Firstly, that there will now be 96 Members instead of 60, with the aim being to allow more equality and a more diverse Wales, especially as we, as a nation, now have a current population of 3.2 million, but also to make every vote count, which will better reflect the views of people across Wales. In order to facilitate this, by using a more proportional system, we will now be moving to larger multi-member constituencies, where voters with one vote will either vote for a political party or an independent. Your ballot paper will show the full list of candidates for your constituency, so you can see who you're voting for.

But we need to remember that change will work best when people understand it, which is why we need to educate not only ourselves, but also teach others about these changes, allowing everyone in our community to use their voice and their vote with confidence, ensuring that every voter in Wales knows how to take part, take their stand and embrace this opportunity. Diolch.

Diolch, Anna. The final word in this session goes to Callum Morrissey, Aelod Gorllewin Clwyd, Clwyd West.

Diolch, Llywydd. My name's Callum Morrissey, and I represent Clwyd West as a privileged Member of the Welsh Youth Parliament. From the next Senedd election, Wales will use a new proportional voting system, and understanding it, as my fellow Members have said, is really, really key. Under the old system, we voted for one person in a small area. If your preferred candidate didn’t win, your vote didn’t help elect anyone, so many votes were, effectively, wasted.

The new system works differently. Wales will be divided into larger constituencies, and each will elect six Members. Voters aged 16 and over will have one vote on one ballot paper to choose a party list or an independent candidate. Now, the important thing here is the new system is not just about some people’s votes counting for more. It is about fewer votes being wasted. Seats are shared out in proportion to how people voted across the whole constituency, so the result should more closely match the overall vote.

Now, for young people, that means that our single vote helps shape the bigger picture, proportionally, not just one winner in one big place. By understanding this system, we can vote with confidence and make sure our voices are part of the overall result. So, leaving this here today, I urge all young people and privileged Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament to make sure you take this understanding and duplicate it for your young people in your constituencies across Wales, and to understand how to register to vote, as it is important to use your democratic vote. Diolch yn fawr. Thank you very much.

Thank you to all of you in that session for encouraging young people to participate in the election in May of next year and to ensure that their voice is heard in the results emerging from that election. Just for everyone to know, the Senedd education team has been working with the Office of the Children's Commissioner for Wales and the Electoral Commission to develop resources for educators to run sessions with young people in schools and colleges in order to encourage that understanding of the importance of voting. So, that concludes our first session. We're already slightly behind schedule, but we will now take a short break and we will return in around 10 minutes' time, so thank you very much. We'll now take a short break.