Friday 17 February 2017

Youngsters vote for their future



Young students showed their interest in politics with a series of challenging questions to Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood during a school visit to Wrexham.

A-Level and GCSE students at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Wrexham, discussed Brexit, votes at 16, independence for Wales, public transport and the economy during a lively 60-minute debate with the Plaid Cymru leader.

A show of hands revealed 90% would have voted to remain in Europe, a straw poll reflective of other school meetings Leanne has held throughout Wales.

Students were also invited to take part in a nationwide ballot to gauge support for a number of key issues.

Speaking after the meeting, Leanne Wood said: 

"It's always good to get out and about to different parts of Wales. It's especially good to engage with thoughtful and challenging audiences like this. They had a range of really well-thought-through questions and it was interesting that they'd already been speaking - both for and against - amongst themselves about having the right to vote at 16.
"I'm finding that more and more youngsters are agreeing with this idea as they realise that important decisions about their futures, such as Brexit, are being taken without them having a say. It doesn't wash to say that 16- and 17-year-olds don't know enough about politics - we should be ensuring that they have the chance to learn more about the political system and how they can influence decisions beyond just voting. Politics is about campaigning, lobbying, protesting and marching as well as the ballot box."

1 comment: