How to run your campaign

Congratulations! You’re a Welsh Youth Parliament Candidate.

It’s time to think about how you're going to persuade other young people to vote for you.

Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, here are some tips on how you can run a great campaign!

While campaigning it is important to make sure that you follow simple steps to keep yourself safe.

Do not place your personal number, address, or email on your public documents. If you would like people to contact you, consider a professional email account.
Be careful of the language that you use and be considerate to others.
Use materials and templates provided by Welsh Youth Parliament.
Don’t go canvassing on your own.

What issues are important to you? This is the key message of your campaign!
What issues are important to the young people in your area? What will make young people want to vote for you?
What kind of Welsh Youth Parliament Member will you be? Think of the skills you would bring to the role and celebrate them in your campaign!
Make a list of schools, colleges, and youth organisations in your constituency so that you, or a trusted adult, can let them know about the Welsh Youth Parliament election and how they can get involved.

Get in touch with your local councillors and ask them to help you spread the message about the election.
Get your school, college, or youth group involved. Ask an adult to support your campaign and ask them if they can help you to arrange a Voter Registration or Election Day, or book a free session with your local Senedd Education Officer.
Make a presentation or poster using our templates and ask to run an assembly or session where you can tell your peers why they should vote for you.
Get your family and friends on board – ask them to spread the word!
Don’t forget: your voters need to be registered by 20 November to vote for you.

Make sure your voters know you. If you have permission and use social media, you can:
Share the link to your candidate profile (available from 21 October).
Use our template to create a poster to share.
Share information on how young people in your area can register and vote for you.
Be creative! Create a catchy slogan, vlog your experience, tell people what issues you stand for and why you would make a good Welsh Youth Parliament Member.
Write a blog or article and send it to the local newspaper.

As a Welsh Youth Parliament candidate, it is your responsibility to:

Enlist a trusted adult to help you with your campaign.
Run a positive campaign – what would make you a good representative?
Use social media appropriately.
Adhere to the political impartiality of the Welsh Youth Parliament by not representing any political parties.
Treat everybody with dignity and respect.
Always abide by the law and do not act in a way that could bring the Senedd into disrepute.