Drive to increase participation moves up a gear with launch of the National Assembly’s multi-media bus

A multi-media bus aimed at widening participation with the National Assembly for Wales will take on board its first passengers today(May 8).

Visitors to the bus will be able to find out more about how the Assembly works, leave video messages for Assembly Members, learn how to start a petition and even provide evidence to Assembly committees.

It’s part of the National Assembly for Wales’ drive to get more people involved in the democratic process and widen the understanding of the National Assembly’s role.

“As we mark the tenth anniversary of devolution, it’s more important than ever that we engage with as many people as possible,’’ the Presiding Officer said ahead of the launch.

“The National Assembly for Wales creates laws for Wales, holds the Welsh Government to account and represents the interests of all citizens of Wales.

“In order to do that we need to know what the people of Wales want which is why we are putting the issue of engagement at the centre of the debate, as we mark ten years of devolution.”

“This bus will take the process out to the people in Wales, in a way that’s never been done before.It will complement our presence in Colwyn Bay and enable us to take the Assembly out on the road.”

The Presiding Officer was joined on the bus by representatives from Gay and Lesbian groups for the first meeting on the bus.

This meeting was the last in a series, organised across Wales, where Lord Elis-Thomas has met with groups who perhaps in the past have experienced barriers to participation.

He has now visited all five electoral regions in Wales and spoken to young people, faith-based groups and disabled groups along the way.

The findings of these discussions will be released to the media on May 12 as the National Assembly for Wales marks the tenth anniversary of its inaugural meeting.

The Presiding Officer on board the Assembly bus with representatives from Ysgol y Creuddyn, Ysgol John Bright, Coleg Llandrillo and Ysgol Ffordd y Dyffryn