Votes at 16 but no STV should not see unquestionable support.

Cynics will probably come to the conclusion that the Welsh labour Government  plans for people aged 16 and 17 could soon be able to cast a vote in Wales under plans to modernise election has been influenced by the "youthquake" at last years General Election  where there was a higher than normal  youth vote which helped cause an upset not only in preventing a Tory landslide but reducing Mrs May's majority as as warmed to Jeremy Corbyn

The Welsh Government wants to lower the voting age to allow younger people to vote at the council elections in 2022. 

Cabinet Secretary Alun Davies said the changes would also give non-UK citizens who are "living legally in Wales" a vote.

He told BBC Wales' Sunday Politics show: 

"I think everybody who pays taxes should be able to vote." 

 I am concerned we are still seeing far too many people, particularly young people, disengaged from the political process.
“There are many reasons for this but we must do more to make the process more attractive, welcoming and transparent. The proposals we’re announcing this week will, we hope, help increase participation and improve the democratic process for everyone in Wales.
“I would like to see authorities in Wales take the lead and pilot a number of innovative voting methods, something put on hold at the UK level since the mid-2000s. I want to see whether, for example electronic voting or counting, voting on more than one day and in places other than traditional polling stations, could boost participation rates and improve the overall experience for Welsh voters.”

If passed by the assembly, the plans would allow young people aged 16 and 17 to vote in Wales' next local authority elections to be held in May 2022. 

With a nominal majority  in the Senedd and Plaid likely to vote for the proposal .it is likely to pass.

But should Plaid unquestionably  back the Labour proposal?

There is no mention of Proportional Representation and if Alun Davies really believes  in reforming the voting system he should be copying Scotland and Northern ireland and introducing the Single Transferable Vote (STV).


The sole Liberal Democrat in the "Not a Coalition" cabinet Kirsty Wiliams, presumably supports her Party's policy on STV but God knoes what Dafydd Elis Thomas  believes any-more.

Certainly they should seek to amend the Bill, to include STV .

The problem is that they can hardly oppose it if any amendments is rejected.

But this is an opportunity to change Welsh Democracy and it should be a aim to make sure it is not just one to favour the fortunes of the Labour Party even if you like me approve the lowering of the voting age.