Mae Wythnos Senedd y DU yn ddigwyddiad blynyddol a'i nod yw rhoi’r gair ar led ynglŷn â beth yw Senedd y DU, beth mae’n ei wneud a sut all pobl gymryd rhan ynddi. Mae hefyd yn gyfle gwych i addysgu ein pobl ifanc am ddemocratiaeth a sut allant wneud gwahaniaeth a dweud eu dweud yn y modd y caiff eu gwlad ei rhedeg.
Y llynedd, cymerodd dros 1.1 miliwn o bobl ran yn yr wythnos o bob rhan o’r byd.
Mae dysgu am ein system seneddol, ein proses ddemocratig a sut allwn ni fel dinasyddion unigol gymryd rhan ynddi yn aml yn cael ei esgeuluso. Hawdd yw cymryd yn ganiataol bod pobl yn gwybod am ein systemau pleidleisio, y prosesau gwneud penderfyniadau ac am beth mae gwahanol rannau o’n strwythurau llywodraethu yn gyfrifol. Mae nifer yn synnu wrth glywed bod Ynys Môn yn cael ei chynrychioli gan bum Aelod o'r Senedd yng Nghaerdydd ac mae’r ffaith bod gofal iechyd yn cynrychioli traean o’r llythyrau sy’n fy nghyrraedd yn gwneud i mi feddwl nad yw sawl un yn sylweddoli mai’r llywodraeth Lafur yng Nghaerdydd sy’n gyfrifol am ofal iechyd. Nid yw nifer yn gwybod pwy yw eu Cynghorydd Sir lleol, bod 35 o Gynghorwyr Sir yn gweithredu ar Ynys Môn na’u bod yn gymwys i dderbyn cyflog sylfaenol o £17,600, gyda phensiwn a thaliadau ychwanegol am ymgymryd â rolau eraill hefyd.
UK Parliament Week (UKPW) is an annual event that aims to spread the word about what Parliament is, what it does and how people can get involved with it. It is also a fantastic opportunity to educate our young people about democracy and how they can make a difference and have a say in the way their country is run.
Last year over 1.1 million people took part from all over the world.
Learning about our parliamentary system, democratic process and how we as individual citizens can be involved with it is something that is often bypassed. It is easy to assume that people know about our voting systems, decision-making processes and which part of our governing structures is responsible for what. Many are surprised to hear that Ynys Môn is represented by five Members of the Senedd in Cardiff and the fact that healthcare represents a third of my postbag leads me to assume that many people do not realise healthcare is the responsibility of the Labour government in Cardiff. Many do not know who their local Anglesey County Councillor is, the fact that there are 35 County Councillors or that they are eligible to receive a basic salary of £17,600, a pension and additional payment for taking on additional roles.
The UK has a complicated system of government and in these days of social media it can be challenging to find politically-agnostic (ie unbiased) resources to help people of any age understand why participation and engagement in the democratic process is important and why we all have a part to play in the decisions made by our governing bodies.
That is what makes UK Parliament Week so special – the resources available do not promote any particular political party but simply explain about the history of Parliament, what is does, who is involved and why – as well as covering how we can all get involved with it.
The Welsh Government, which is responsible for Education in Wales, says that “Teaching citizenship and politics is important for preparing young people as ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the wider world, who are ready to play a full part in life and work and ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society.” For that reason, in September – when the schools went back – I wrote to every school on Ynys Môn to let them know about the free resources available for teachers and pupils from the UK Parliament Education team. I am delighted that four schools – Ysgol Gymuned Y Fali, Ysgol Llanfawr, Ysgol Gymuned Y Ffridd and Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern have so far contacted me to ask about these free resources for their students and I hope to hear from many more.
Many of these resources are also available to individuals, community and youth groups, and so you may find the details below helpful if you want to expand your own knowledge or if you want to ask your school or group to get more engaged:
Resources
There are a range of practical resources available including booklets targeted at different educational key-stages of education and at adults. These can be ordered free of charge from my office or via the Parliament Education website. There are many other resources available online from the website including games, presentations and videos for all ages.
Workshops
Free bilingual age-appropriate outreach sessions for schools, colleges and community and youth groups can be booked online. Many of these can be delivered either physically or virtually.
UK Parliament Training
The UK Parliament Education Team offers free teacher training and professional development opportunities for teachers both online and in-person.
UK Parliament Visits
Schools, Colleges and Community/Youth groups are welcome to book a visit to the UK Parliament via the Education Centre or my office. The Education Centre also offers free curricula-linked interactive Parliamentary tours and workshops, and state-funded schools on Anglesey can claim up to 75% of their travel costs to visit. Wherever possible I will meet with schools or groups from Ynys Môn that are visiting Westminster.
You will find more details about these resources and opportunities at https://learning.parliament.uk/
During Parliament Week I was delighted to meet physically and virtually with groups on Ynys Môn including the 1st Menai Cubs, 2nd Holyhead Scouts and 2nd Holyhead Guides. I had the opportunity to speak to them about my job and what it is like to be their Member of Parliament.
They also asked me some very interesting and probing questions about everything from have I met the Prime Minister (yes many times!) to what is the name of my dog (Violet).
It is very important to me to engage with young people in particular so that they can see that Members of Parliament come from a wide variety of backgrounds. My grandfather was a miner for 47 years, my mother worked in a jam factory and thanks to inspirational teachers I was the first person in my family to stay on at school beyond the age of 16. My colleagues in Westminster had a variety of jobs and experiences before standing for Parliament. An MP can represent their Constituency in Westminster and also lead their council at the same time. Anyone on Anglesey’s electoral register can stand to become an MP in Westminster, an MS in Cardiff or a Councillor on Ynys Môn.
I stood for Parliament because I wanted to use my voice for those who feel they have none, and to make tomorrow a better day for as many as possible. As an MP that was democratically elected to serve everyone it is is not appropriate for me to have Conservative political signs outside or inside my office. It is important to me that my constituents understand that they can come to me for help if they need it, however they voted.
It saddens me when people tell me that they “don’t vote because it doesn’t make any difference – nothing ever changes”. It is when people disengage and do not realise that they can make a difference that things stay the same. Your vote is not irrelevant – it is critically important to making your voice heard. Every vote counts whether you want things to change or to stay the same.
I want every young person to know that they can make a difference – whether that is by staying informed about politics and voting in elections, or by putting themselves forward for election to local, regional or national government – or even their school council!
I love to meet with groups across our island to explain how Parliament operates and to discuss the work that I do on your behalf. If you would like me to speak with your school or group please contact me at [email protected].
Rwyf wrth fy modd yn cwrdd â grwpiau ar draws ein hynys i egluro sut mae Senedd y DU yn gweithio ac i drafod y gwaith yr wyf i’n ei wneud ar eich rhan. Os hoffech i mi siarad gyda'ch ysgol neu’ch grŵp, cysylltwch â mi drwy [email protected].
