Official Opening of the Seventh Senedd

Presiding Officer, Members of the Senedd, ladies and gentlemen,

Presiding Officer, Members of the Senedd, ladies and gentlemen, it is with the greatest pleasure that I join you for the opening of the seventh Senedd. This Chamber, this institution, now so well named Senedd Cymru, the Welsh Parliament, is imbued with the spirit of public service. And there are, of course, rather more Members of the Senedd present today than when I last stood here, and there are many new faces, as well, of course, as the reassuring presence of familiar faces who are, we might say, 'yma o hyd', all of which speaks to the thought of change and continuity which comes very much to mind today as you, together with all those working in public service, take forward your great responsibilities on behalf of the people of Wales.

'The great mountains remain',

said the poet Ceiriog. 'The great mountains remain'. He was expressing that sense of the enduring strength and continuity of Cymru, that endurance, that continuity, to which the great Welsh historian John Davies—who might well be with us in rather more than spirit in this Chamber today—paid tribute in the closing words of his magisterial A History of Wales:

'For tenacity is the hallmark of this ancient nation.'

'For tenacity is the hallmark of this ancient nation.'

That endurance, it seems to me, is what is so vital to preserve. It is true of language and culture, of course. We are fortunate to have with us in the Chamber here today my harpist, Mared, who has brought the magic of the Welsh musical tradition to the world.

That endurance is true of our land. No-one can have failed to have been struck by the way the very colours of our countryside changed during this summer's heatwaves, nor could they have failed to be deeply concerned at what this means for our rapidly changing planet. I'm sure we all share that most profound concern for the environment of this country entrusted to our care.

That endurance is true of community too. The Welsh people from all communities and faiths are rightly famed for the strength of their sense of belonging. Next week, together with the Queen and the Prince of Wales, I will be visiting Aberfan to commemorate the solemn anniversary of a tragedy that brought Wales to the attention and to the hearts of the entire world for the most unbearable of reasons. I am enormously touched that people from the Aberfan community are with us today. There could be no finer witnesses to the strength of the Welsh and the human spirit.

The character and identity of Wales have always been built from the strength of its places and the relationships of trust, service and neighbourliness found within them; that distinctively Welsh idea of cynefin—the profound connection between place, people, culture and belonging. I've always felt immensely privileged and proud to have had such a special connection with Wales, with its language, its culture, and its landscape, for so much of my life.

So, as you take forward your task of government, we know you will bear always in mind, and will draw inspiration from, those shared strengths as you work on behalf of the people of this most special corner of the earth.

Heartfelt thanks for your work for the welfare and success of this special land. Thank you. [Applause.]

Your Majesties, Llywydd, Members of the Senedd, and distinguished guests, it is an honour to address the ceremonial opening of the seventh Senedd. Today is a moment of celebration and renewal.

Today is a moment of celebration and renewal. We gather at the heart of our national democracy to mark a new chapter in the story of Wales and its Parliament. The Senedd we open today is unlike any that has gone before it. Returning Members, like me, will, I hope, remark that this redesigned Siambr is neither too big nor now too small, but finally befitting of a young Parliament that has come of age.

Strengthened in its capacity to scrutinise, and with 96 Members elected under a fully proportional system, it represents a significant moment in the continued evolution of Welsh democracy.

This is the most representative Senedd in our history. It reflects the Wales of today, and the diversity of experiences, backgrounds and perspectives we share as a nation. That will enhance debate, strengthen scrutiny and help ensure that the voices of our communities are heard.

Wherever I go in Wales, I hear people talking about the future with hope and a renewed sense of expectation. When Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II joined us for the opening of the last Senedd, she reminded us why we are here in the first place:

'to be the voice of the people of Wales, to represent their interests when decisions that affect their everyday lives are debated and decided within these walls.'

And that is a responsibility we all bear. Wherever we can work together, we should do so, because the decisions we make here need to reflect the new ambition and hope that is evident across Wales.

The Senedd doesn't belong to any one government or any one political party. It belongs to the people of Wales. It is here to represent them, to legislate on their behalf and to ensure that those in power are held to account for their decisions.

We all have a part to play in ensuring that this Parliament is not an echo chamber but a mirror held up to the people of Wales who can, in turn, say with confidence and with pride that their values, their hopes, and their vision for the future are reflected back in the decisions we make.

The challenges facing Wales are significant. Families, communities and businesses look to us to help build a more prosperous, fair and secure future. They expect us to work hard, to listen carefully and, wherever possible, to work together in the national interest. They will rightly judge us not by the force of our arguments alone, but by our ability to improve their everyday lives.

We also carry a responsibility to those who follow us. We are merely custodians of our Parliament, just as we are our planet. Decisions made during this Senedd will help shape the Wales inherited by future generations. That responsibility requires us to look beyond immediate challenges alone towards the long-term prosperity and resilience of our nation.

The work of the Senedd doesn't take place within these walls alone either. It is strengthened by engagement with communities, local government, civic society and beyond. And whatever our differences, we share a common purpose: to serve the people who have placed their trust in us with humility and with integrity.

Today is also an opportunity to celebrate Wales itself: our communities, our culture, our languages, and the spirit that unites us as a nation. We are an ancient nation, but a nation with a new confidence and ambition. And that is particularly evident among our young people.

Llywydd, the shorter Senedd term lends a new sense of urgency to our work. And I know that we all want to see change—change that will make a real difference to the lives of the people that we are here to serve.

We can all show that this can be the most ambitious, collaborative and productive Parliament yet. We owe the people of Wales no less. Diolch yn fawr.