Hello, I’m Lleucu and I am a former member of the Welsh Youth Parliament. I am currently studying for my GCSE exams and will turn 16 on May 6, which is the day of the Senedd elections. I will therefore be able to cast my first-ever vote on my birthday!
It was rewarding to have experienced the debates surrounding Vote 16 during my time in the Welsh Youth Parliament. I felt privileged to be a part of the discussion with people who have worked so hard to achieve voting rights for 16 and 17-year-olds. It’s also satisfying to see this become a reality.
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There has been a surge in support for many social issues recently. This has been evident during the lockdown period with young people attending online debates and campaigns and prior to lockdown, attending climate strikes and marches worldwide.
Politics is all about changing our lives. With access to knowledge at our fingertips and with world leaders and those with influence being only a keystroke away, young people are in a unique position to make a mark on issues that affect them and to become involved in the world of politics.
There’s been a massive rise in support for Welsh independence recently, with polls showing a majority of young people in favour for the first time
This is a crucial step forward, showing the difference that we can make as a generation with the right support and the drive to do something about issues that matter to us.