Young people from across North East Wales came together in Rhyl for Youth Hustings 2026, a powerful and engaging event giving them the opportunity to question politicians, share their views, and take an active role in local democracy.

Hosted by Clwyd Scouts at Rhyl Little Theatre on Sunday 22 March 2026, the event brought together young people aged 14 to 25 from across Denbighshire, Flintshire, Montgomeryshire and Wrexham, alongside local candidates and elected representatives, creating a space for open, honest and respectful discussion.

The event comes at a key moment, as the Senedd term draws to a close and the next election campaign begins, highlighting the importance of ensuring young people feel informed, engaged and confident to take part in democratic life.

Young people heard from representatives across the political spectrum, including:

who answered questions on a wide range of topics.

Left to right: Jacob Jones, Gareth Lloyd Davies, Oliver Bradley-Hughes, Carly Murdoch-Dyson, Arran Fearn, David Wilkins

Discussions covered social media and potential bans, global conflicts and their local impact, the needs of young people, opportunities in North Wales, and the journeys of those involved in politics, including why they chose to stand and how they got started. The conversation also explored how change can happen at a local level and how young people can play a role in shaping it.

The Hustings were facilitated by Jacob Jones, District Lead Volunteer for Vale of Clwyd Scouts, who helped guide the discussion and ensure young people’s voices were at the heart of the event.

Jacob Jones said:

“It was genuinely inspiring to see so many young people engaged, asking thoughtful questions and really challenging the panel. The conversations were honest, wide ranging and incredibly relevant. Events like this show that young people care deeply about their communities and their futures. If we create the right spaces, they will step forward, speak up and take part.”

The event was organised by Aimee Curtis, Area Youth Lead for Clwyd Scouts, as part of a wider commitment to strengthening youth voice and participation across the region.

Aimee Curtis said:

“This event was about more than just politics. It was about creating a space where young people feel confident to ask questions, explore different viewpoints and understand how decisions are made. The range of topics discussed shows just how aware and engaged young people are, from global issues through to local change. It was fantastic to see young people from across the area coming together, supporting each other and really making the most of the opportunity to be heard.”

Left to right: Alys Bailey-Wood, Aimee Curtis, Jacob Jones

Alongside the panel discussion, the event featured a range of creative and adventurous activities, including soft target sports and a climbing tower provided by Chester Scouts, helping to create a relaxed and inclusive environment where young people could engage in different ways and build confidence.

Isaac Jones (18), who attended the event, said:

“It was really good to be able to ask questions directly and actually get answers. You don’t often get that opportunity. It made politics feel a lot more real and relevant.”

Joseph Steel (18) added:

“It showed that young people do have a voice and that people are willing to listen. It’s made me more interested in what’s going on locally and how I can get involved.”

The event was also attended by senior Scout volunteers, including Robert Redmond, Deputy Chief Volunteer for Wales, who said:

“This was a fantastic example of young people being given a platform to engage with real issues and real decision makers. Scouting is about preparing young people with skills for life, and active citizenship is a key part of that.”

Alys Bailey-Wood, Regional Lead Volunteer for North Wales, added:

“Events like this are so important. They help build confidence, develop understanding, and show young people that their voices matter. It was brilliant to see such positive engagement throughout the day.”

Clwyd Scouts would like to thank everyone who made the event possible, including all attendees, the candidates and elected representatives, Rhyl Little Theatre for hosting, and Chester Scouts for providing the climbing wall.

As the election period begins, events like Youth Hustings play an important role in helping young people feel informed and confident to take part in the democratic process.

Attendees taking on the climbing tower!

Young people looking to get involved or learn more ahead of the election can access the following resources:

Clwyd Scouts remain committed to supporting young people to develop confidence, leadership and active citizenship, ensuring they are not only prepared for the future, but empowered to shape it.