Hannah Blythyn MS this week led a short debate in the Senedd highlighting the need to rebuild trust in politics, strengthen standards, and ensure the Welsh Parliament continues to evolve to meet modern challenges.

This debate will be one of the last short debates to take place during the sixth Senedd ahead of the Welsh Parliament elections in May, later this year.

Speaking in the Chamber, Hannah reflected on her own journey into politics and the importance of challenging outdated perceptions. As well as warning people that the growing cynicism towards politics risks undermining democracy itself.

During the debate Hannah Blythyn said:

“Growing up, I never thought I would be a politician – a politician didn’t seem to be someone like me. They didn’t look like me, talk like me or come from the same place as me…”

“…’They’re all the same’ is one of the most common complaints about politicians. In this context, ‘same’ is taken to mean equally bad, not equally good – and that breeds a cynicism that is bad for democracy.”

As Chair of the Standards of Conduct Committee, Hannah outlined work already underway to strengthen accountability in the Senedd, including measures to tackle bullying and harassment and proposals for greater independence in handling complaints.

She emphasised the importance of creating a culture where everyone feels safe to come forward.

“In any institution or walk of life, it is not easy to come forward to raise concerns about bullying and harassment. Power imbalances are amplified in a political setting.

“There should and can be zero tolerance of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour. That means having both support and sanctions in place.”

The debate also addressed the growing challenges posed by online abuse, misinformation and artificial intelligence, with Hannah calling for clear safeguards and transparency in how new technologies are used in politics.

Speaking once again on the misuse of AI in our Politics, Hannah Blythyn said:

“We can ensure standards and sanctions are in place in terms of Members and misinformation.

“But more widely misinformation and deepfakes are a growing global problem that needs collective and bold action – legislation, regulation and consequences.

“AI has the potential to augment our Parliament but we need clear guardrails and guidelines when it comes to its use in the Senedd and by Senedd Members, and we should be upfront and open about its application.”

Hannah also highlighted the need for further reforms, including clearer rules around political donations, regulation on lobbying, and the relationship between party and Senedd disciplinary processes.

Closing the debate, she urged Members across the Chamber to take collective responsibility for improving public confidence in politics.

“Transparency and trust in our processes, our politicians and our politics go hand in hand. We all have our part to play in rewriting that negative narrative.”

“Like devolution itself, strengthening our Senedd is a process not an event - one we should not and cannot shy away from.”

Hannah Blythyn reaffirmed her commitment to continuing this work into the future, calling on the next Senedd to build on progress already made and ensure trust and transparency remain at the heart of Welsh democracy.