Written Statement: Innovating Democracy Advisory Group

In November I announced the appointment of Dr Anwen Elias as Chair of the new Innovating Democracy Advisory Group (IDAG). The Group is being established in response to the recommendations of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales. It proposed a set of reforms to strengthen democracy in Wales, including establishing an expert panel to explore innovative ways to increase understanding of democracy. 

Following an open recruitment process, I am pleased to announce that the following members have been appointed to the group: 

Mo Alamgir is a technology entrepreneur and dedicated community leader who has spent the past 17 years working pro bono to drive meaningful social change. His initiatives focus on upskilling young people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, bridging faith and non-faith communities, and tackling workplace inequality and unconscious bias. 

Sarah Allan is one of the UK’s leading specialists in deliberative democracy. She has over a decade of experience designing, delivering and advising on public engagement in decision making, including as Director of Capacity Building and Standards and Director of Climate Programmes at public participation charity Involve. 

Jess Blair has been Director of ERS Cymru since 2017. She has led campaigns on votes at 16, increasing the size of the Senedd and deliberative democracy. She was a member of the Expert Panel to the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales. She co-managed the Blaenau Gwent Climate Assembly and was on the Advisory Group of the Citizens Assembly for Northern Ireland.  

Mike Corcoran is a specialist in communication, engagement and co-production, having worked with clients across three continents, ranging from micro-enterprises to government departments. Presently, he holds positions including as a Consultant with Co-production Lab Wales and with the Co-production Network for Wales, as a Visiting Researcher at Wrexham University, and as a co-production and involvement advisor to bodies including the Wrexham City Board and North Wales Public Services Boards. 

Tomos Dafydd Davies is an experienced policy and public affairs professional with a strong background in both the public and private sectors, spanning the UK and international contexts. Elected as a councillor in Monmouthshire in 2022, he serves on the authority’s democratic services committee, focused on enhancing democratic engagement. 

Professor Sally Holland is Professor of Social Work in the CASCADE Children's Social Care Research Centre, Cardiff University. She is also Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the School of Social Sciences. Her current research includes evaluating the Basic Income Pilot for care leavers in Wales and measuring the outcomes of Flying Start services for children.

Yvonne Murphy is the Artistic Director and Executive Producer of Omidaze Productions and the creator of The Democracy Box and The Talking Shop which are innovative creative approaches to democratic education, information and deliberation. Yvonne is also the author of The Democracy Box report Beyond the Ballot Box. 

Julie Sangani is a public servant and community leader with extensive experience in policy development, citizen participation, and inclusive governance. As a Cardiff City Councillor and Cabinet Member for Public Health, Equality, and Diversity, she has championed initiatives that amplify underrepresented voices, including the development of a city-wide Equality and Diversity network and a new Community Participation Strategy.

Professor Diana Stirbu is a well-established scholar with research interests and expertise in devolved and territorial governance, constitutional politics, and participatory democracy. She joined London Metropolitan University in 2010 and since 2023, she has been co-leading the Centre for Applied Research in Empowering Society (CARES). She was a member of the Expert Panel to the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales.

Daisy Thomson brings expertise in public engagement across a range of contested policy areas. She currently works for Involve where she leads deliberative democracy processes for local and national governments and NGOs. A former civil servant, Daisy has worked in both Welsh and UK Governments on policy including devolved tax policy, court reform, and community-led decision making. 

Leanne Wood has more than 25 years’ experience as a political activist. She has held many roles in political life including local councillor, MS for the Rhondda and leader of Plaid Cymru. She was the first woman to represent the Rhondda and the first woman to lead Plaid Cymru. She was a Commissioner for the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales

Full biographies are available on the Welsh Government website. I will continue to update the Senedd on the group’s work, and there will be an opportunity for Members of the Senedd to engage directly with IDAG in the coming months.