Jake wins Youth Parliament seat

A Welshpool High School pupil has been elected to represent Montgomeryshire as a Member of the Welsh Youth Parliament.

Nearly 300 candidates fought for 60 seats with every single constituency in Wales facing a battle to be the area’s representative. Thousands of online votes were cast by young people during the three-week campaigning period.

Locally Jake Dillon will represent Montgomeryshire after winning the vote.

As with the first ever Welsh Youth Parliament in 2018, 40 constituency seats were decided by the votes of young people with 20 more Members selected by partner organisations to ensure the representation of diverse groups of young people.

The successful candidates will formally take their seats in the new year when they meet each other in person for the first time at the Senedd and begin their time representing 11-17 year-olds.

During their term, between 2021-2023, the Youth Parliament Members will focus their energies on three main priority issues. These are a combination of the candidates’ own stated priorities as well as matters raised by young people from conversations gathered in schools, outside events and submitted online.

By meeting regularly, consulting with young people and conducting inquiries, they will discuss the issues that matter most to young people in order to bring their views to the attention of the elected politicians of the Welsh Parliament.

In standing Jake Dillon said his key issues would be: Mental health support young people, Equality in education for dyslexia and Better infrastructure for electric vehicles.

In his Candidate Statement Jake wrote: “I would make a good Youth Member of Parliament because I am passionate about people's different views, seeing both sides of issues, debating them and fighting for what is right, seeing the best of both worlds.

“I am a good orator and skilled at putting my views across and use my experience from drama study to project my views to different audiences in ways that feel personal to them. I am a good listener and take in everything people say to me into consideration before forming a view. I am not afraid to change my views when I see this would lead to a better outcome.

“I am a creative type who enjoys reading, acting and space science. I enjoy being with people and hearing their stories. I would connect with young people in Montgomeryshire via social media and in schools.

“I am dyslexic but this does not hold me back and I want to bring greater awareness and support across Wales to help people like me, who do not necessarily have a voice to get to where they want to be. Young people should vote for me, I will listen to their voices and fight for their needs.”