Tilly Jones, 13, from Ysgol Maesydderwen school has been elected as a Welsh Youth Parliament member.

The election results, published on December 1, confired that Tilly will represent Brecon and Radnorshire in the Senedd for the next two years.

Tilly described how she felt when receiving the news, she said, “It was unbelievable. I didn’t think I was going to get it.”

Tilly’s key issues are children’s and young people’s mental health, the environment, and in particular, gender equality. She believes gender equality is an important issue that needs to be addressed.

Tilly told the Brecon and Radnor Express: “In schools, boys have to do different sports to girls in PE, and I don’t think it should be like that.”

She also believes that young people’s views are not respected as much as they should be when it comes to politics:

“They (young people) don’t get the credit they deserve,” Tilly said. “Every young person’s voice should matter just as much as an adult’s voice matters.”

The newly elected candidates are part of the second edition of the Welsh Youth Parliament, with the first being in parliament from 2018 to 2020. The new members have planned to hold their first meeting in the Senedd in the new year, depending on the situation regarding covid19.

Nearly 300 candidates fought for 60 seats with every single constituency in Wales being represented by an elected member. Thousands of young people aged 11-17 voted online during a three-week period for the memer to represent their constituency.

The Welsh Youth Parliament plan to discuss issues regarding young people across the country and will bring the main issues to the attention of the elected politicians of the Welsh Parliament.

Llywydd of the Senedd, Elin Jones MS, announced the election results on a livestream on December 1.

Elin Jones said: “I’m delighted to be announcing the 60 new Welsh Youth Parliament Members that will be representing the voices of young people in Wales over the next few years.

“Young people contribute greatly to our society and have just as much stake in our country as everyone else - it is crucial that they have an opportunity to get involved in our democracy.

“The Welsh Youth Parliament provides a fantastic platform for voices and perspectives that are often ignored. It allows Wales’ young people to set the agenda and focus on what matters to them.

“The Welsh Youth Parliament has been a huge success and I’m sure the members elected today will be a credit to their constituents and all young people across Wales during this term.”