12-08-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Carmarthen teenager first to join national youth committee
Evie Somers, 17, from Carmarthen, has been appointed to the UK Youth Select Committee for the 2025/26 term, making her the first young person from Carmarthenshire to earn a seat on the UK-wide panel.
The committee gives young people the chance to examine and influence national policies that affect their lives.
Ms Somers, who has been a member of Carmarthenshire Youth Council for the past two years, was selected by the UK Parliament and the National Youth Agency.
She said: "I'm excited to work alongside passionate young people from across the UK to explore the issues that matter most to us.
"This opportunity will allow me to develop new skills, learn from experts and most importantly, help influence decisions that affect young people's lives.
"I'm grateful to the UK Parliament and the National Youth Agency for selecting me.
"As the sole representative for Wales on this unique committee, I am committed to putting Welsh interests at the forefront of my work.
"Throughout my tenure, I will bring a strong grassroots focus while ensuring consistent, national-level representation for young people in Wales."
The Youth Select Committee operates in a similar way to House of Commons select committees.
It is made up of 12 young people aged 14 to 19 from across the UK who investigate issues, gather evidence from experts, and produce formal reports with recommendations for government.
Ms Somers is the only representative from Wales.
She attended her first online meeting earlier this week and will travel to London in September for the committee's first in-person session at the UK Parliament.
Councillor Glynog Davies, Carmarthenshire's cabinet member for education and the Welsh language, said: "We are incredibly proud of Evie's achievement in securing a place on the UK Youth Select Committee – a first for Carmarthenshire.
"Her dedication to youth voice and representation is inspiring, and she will be a powerful advocate not only for young people in our county but across Wales."
