AM WELCOMES YOUTH PARLIAMENT CANDIDATES TO THE SENEDD

Mick Antoniw, Assembly Member for Pontypridd has welcomed an number of Pontypridd’s Youth Parliament candidates to the Senedd and congratulated Efan Rhys Fairclough from Pontypridd, on being elected as the Member for Pontypridd at the Welsh Youth Parliament.

The first ever Welsh Youth Parliament has been established to give young people a say on the things that matter to them in Wales.  Forty seats were contested across Wales, with a further twenty members being elected by partner groups including Girlguiding Cymru, Barnardo’s Cymru and Learning Disability Wales.

Mick Antoniw said:

“I was delighted to welcome Grace Bonas, Rhys Morgan, Nia Crimmins, Kieran Bennison and Farrah Earl, who stood as Pontypridd candidates for the first ever Welsh Youth Parliament to the Assembly, to give them a tour of the meeting and to attend the Assembly session that installed Mark Drakeford AM as our new First Minister.

“The Youth Parliament is an important initiative, which will give young people a direct voice in the issues that are most important to them and it is very encouraging that so many young people in Pontypridd put their name forward for election.  Twenty-two young people stood in Pontypridd, which is double the constituency average and with many more registering to vote in the election, it shows that young people are interested in having a say on the matters affect them now and in the future.

Unfortunately Efan Rhys Fairclough, who was elected to represent Pontypridd could not attend the visit.  Mick Antoniw added said:

“I have congratulated Efan on his success and look forward to working with him.  I’ve no doubt that he will prove to be a great representative for young people in Pontypridd.@

Efan Rhys Fairclough, responding by email said:

“I am so grateful to those who have voted for me to represent Pontypridd in the youth parliament. I hope to provide a strong voice for young people in this area and my aims will be to create a single-use plastic free Pontypridd and Wales, to provide better access to transport and sporting facilities for young people and to promote the Welsh language and our strong, proud Welsh culture. I also want to ensure that every young person in Wales is given the best opportunity in life to thrive regardless of where they live or their background.”