PoliticoBailey had decided to close his campaign in Cardiff, speaking to a combination of local teachers and residents about education and wider policy in a last minute attempt to rally prospective voters and supporters.

Good evening! Thank you for joining me as this campaign is coming to a conclusion, and as parties and candidates will begin to make their final pitches to voters in this election. It’s been a long campaign, however it’s been good to meet voters and talk about my plans and policies in this Welsh election. I’ve stood in a few of these now, for different parties admittedly - the Liberal Democrats, Llafur, and even being a Member of the Senedd for Abolish. However now, I stand before you as an Independent, as myself, and being able to speak about fundamental change that can be made by choosing a different option and a non-partisan representative.

Now, I know many of you here today are teachers, others here are parents, and those with an interest in our education system - and I’m pleased to be able to end my campaign tour on this topic. Our education system, and the support we offer to young people are a key pillar of Wales and the wider wales - and often the most important stage in the lives of us all. Whether it’s developing research and gaining degrees in specialist areas, sitting examinations to earn qualifications, working to master technical and practical life skills which help us in our later lives, or earning experience through apprenticeships and other courses. Education is a wide-reaching bedrock, and one that none of us can take for granted - and that’s why it’s so important in this election. We need a Welsh Government that will deliver for students from early years to higher and further education. We need a First Minister that will tackle the inequalities that are present for minorities and those with disabilities. We need fundamental reform that will deliver for young people, for teachers, and for our future generations. I may not be able to deliver every reform on offer, but as long as I am a representative in the Senedd, I will champion those policies and stand for the key issues that I will discuss today.

The fundamental change we can start with is reform to our curriculum and investment in creative subjects. On curriculum reform, this is something that I began to speak about during the last Senedd. With cross-party support, I passed a motion calling for fundamental reform when it comes to political and civics education. The reality is that we can not expect young people to engage in our democratic process, voting in our elections, and to know about the institutions and political life that underpin the Modern Wales we talk about - if we do not give them the skills and knowledge that they can use in later life. 16 and 17 years olds will have the right to vote tomorrow on polling day, however in Wales the curriculum does not allow them to obtain sufficient knowledge about the Welsh Parliament, political life, and the importance of engaging with such a democratic right. Therefore, that will be the first reform to our curriculum that I will champion if elected to the Senedd. I would introduce comprehensive requirements for schools to cover topics such as elections and voting, local and national political institutions such as councils, the Senedd, and the Westminster system.

Another area that has frankly not received the attention that it should is our creative subject and empowering students and young people to expand their skills in this area. I would invest in more resources for music education, allowing more young people to learn how to play an instrument and pursue opportunities in our creative industry. This also means involving the creative industry, opening up opportunities whether it’s in TV, media or our theatre institutions. This will also bring a benefit to local communities, by involving local creative industries and organisations in these schemes we will be able to expand opportunities for young adults locally and cultivate the knowledge of these providers - creating high-skilled jobs for Welsh people.

I’m committed too to working on the provisions that are in place to support students with educational needs, disabilities and long-term conditions. This requires some comprehensive plans rather than a one-sided approach, and I would seek to work with others on this. We could begin with the hiring of more non-teaching and support staff, ensuring that students have adequate access to the support they need through their time in education. We should also improve training and awareness around topics such as hidden disabilities and how we can best support those young people to overcome the challenges they face, whilst still allowing them to obtain the qualifications and careers they wish to pursue.

My other large priority in this area is supporting families, especially around the burden they face with the cost of essentials such as equipment and school uniforms. There isn’t any Welsh-specific guidance in place in this area, although there have been reforms in other devolved administrations such as in Scotland. There is more to be done by the Welsh Government, and I will push on whoever is First Minister to act in this area - by calling for enhanced guidance on school uniform costs and more action to allow low-income families to access good quality supplies. Any education system in a modern society should leave no one behind, and we can’t overlook this issue especially with the cost of living.

These policies coupled together I believe lay a strong foundation for education reform in Wales, and are where we can start to create a more equal and more effective system for our young people and their families. Whether it’s on education, or on other public services, I believe that Wales would strongly benefit with a continued Independent voice in the Senedd - and that’s why I’m asking for your vote on polling day tomorrow. Together, we can build a modern Cymru that leaves no one behind. I hope that you will take one of my leaflets, share these policies with your families, friends and neighbours - and elect an Independent voice for Wales.

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Leaflets handed out to campaigners at the rally