A SERIES of proposed reforms to democracy in Wales were outlined by one of the candidates running to be the new first minister in an event in Newport on Thursday.

Mark Drakeford spoke at an event at the Newport Centre as part of his campaign to succeed Carwyn Jones as leader of Welsh Labour and first minister.

Among the reforms Mr Drakeford said he would seek to bring in if he is elected as the party's new leader in December would be for 16 and 17-year-olds to be allowed to vote in council elections, and for anyone running for council as an Independent to be required to declare on the ballot paper if they have been a member of a political party within the previous 12 months.

The finance minister also said he was in favour of increasing the number of AMs - as recommended by an independent report last year - and said councils should be required to broadcast all meetings online.

"Democracy needs careful attention," he said. "It is never ever to be taken for granted and it is always under attack.

"That is even more true in the times we live in."

Mark Drakeford speaking at his polic launch at the Newport Centre.

Mr Drakeford said he would like to run the Welsh Government under a model of "collective leadership" rather than a more presidential system in which the first minister is the figurehead.

"As we enter the third decade of devolution I want the people of Wales to understand there is a team of people leading the National Assembly," he said.

Other reforms suggested by Mr Drakeford included for breaches of the Welsh Government's ministerial code to be overseen by an independent person rather than the first minister. He also called for voting in Wales to be overhauled through measures such as electronic voting and being able to register on polling day, and for the appointment of special advisers to the Welsh Government and chairs of public bodies such as Natural Resources Wales to be carried out in a more transparent manner, including pre-appointment hearings.

Vaughan Gething and Eluned Morgan are also standing for the role.

Ballots open today, Friday, with the winner to be declared on Thursday, December 6. The winning candidate will formally take up the role the following week.