Wrexham and Clwyd South AMs reselected as Welsh Assembly candidates for 2021 election

Both the Wrexham and Clwyd South AMs have been reselected as candidates for the next Welsh Assembly elections.

Labour’s Lesley Griffiths and Ken Skates will contest their seats again in May 2021.

Both Assembly Members are also cabinet ministers, with Ms Griffiths holding the position as Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs and Mr Skates as Minister for Economy and Transport.

Speaking about her re-selection, Wrexham AM Ms Griffiths, said: “I am proud and honoured to be reselected as Labour for Wrexham’s candidate for the Assembly election in 2021.

“It has been a privilege to represent Wrexham at the National Assembly for Wales since 2007 and I am extremely grateful for the ongoing support of local Labour Party members.

“In these uncertain times, I am more determined than ever to stand up for the town, to support local people and to work to continue to secure the investment the area richly deserves.”

Mr Skates, added: “I’m honoured to have been reselected by Clwyd South Labour Party to contest the 2021 Assembly election.

“I’ve had the privilege of serving as AM for our area since 2011 and will continue to do all I can to improve it and to help improve the lives of people across North Wales.

“I would like to thank Clwyd South Labour Party members for their continued support – diolch yn fawr.”

The election, due to take place on May 6th 2021, is likely to be the first to take place under a new name – with legislation put forward earlier this year proposing that the Assembly’s name is changed to Senedd. This is to “reflect the institution’s constitutional status and to improve public understanding of the legislature’s role and responsibilities.”

It also contains a clause noting that the Senedd may also be referred to as ‘Welsh Parliament’ and the intention is that the change of name will come into force legally in May 2020 ahead of the Assembly election in 2021.

If the name change is given the go ahead, Members of the Assembly for Wales would be known as ‘Members of the Senedd or Aelodau’r Senedd’, or MS / AS for short.

The next election is also expected to see 16 and 17 year olds be able to vote for the first time.

In May 2016 Wrexham saw a voter turnout of 40 per cent – which was up slightly on the 36.2 per cent way back in 2011. Up the road in Clwyd South turnout increased to 41 per cent from 36.9 per cent in 2011.

It is hoped that lowering the voting age will help “engage young people in particular in the democratic process”.

Some unsurprising breaking political news from Welsh Labour – they have confirmed Lesley Griffiths has been reselected as candidate, and Ken Skates the same for Clwyd South, for the 2021 Welsh Assembly or whatever it may be called elections!

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) April 9, 2019