A BONLLWYN teen with a new-found passion for politics took centre stage at the Welsh Labour annual conference in Swansea on Saturday.

Seventeen-year-old Martha O’Neil, from Parc Henry Lane, gave an impassioned speech to delegates on the importance of engaging the younger generation in political debate before introducing First Minister Carwyn Jones for his speech on Saturday.

“It was brilliant,” the former Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth pupil said. “It was a real privilege.

“For me, the First Minister’s speech was so powerful.

“I found it so inspiring.”

Meeting party leader Ed Miliband and sharing a stage with the First Minister of Wales marked the latest step in a meteoric rise for Martha, who is the Under 19s representative for Welsh Young Labour, as she only joined the party last November.

Currently study Government and Politics as one of her four A Levels at Gower College, it has only been during the last six months that she has become active within the Labour Party.

“I have been passionate about politics and current affairs for a long time, but it was only last summer that I really became involved,” said Martha.

“I realised that politics is something that impacts on our lives every day and it makes me so frustrated that the voices of people under 18 are not being heard.

“It is so important that politics be brought into schools so the young generation get a better understanding of the role politics has in our lives.

“I want young people to see that politics is not boring.”

Whether she one day pursues a seat in Westminster or Cardiff Bay remains to be seen, but Martha will certainly be on the doorsteps in the run-up to the election.

“Being on the stage with Carwyn Jones will definitely impact on my life. It has had a profound effect on me.

“I don’t have a crystal ball so I can’t predict the election, but I hope that I can help people realise that in a society like ours we all have to look after each other.”

Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, Calum Higgins was deeply impressed by his young supporter.

“Martha spoke so passionately about the role of young people in politics,” he said.

“Her speech was inspiring.”