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● LIVE Updated 2h ago · 12 sources tracked

Reform politician says smart glasses help him make speeches in Wales' parliament

Jason O'Connell, a Reform UK Member of the Senedd, is using smart glasses with an autocue feature to deliver speeches in the Welsh parliament. O'Connell claims the scrolling script has "massively" increased his confidence. The use of the technology has sparked a debate over equity in the Senedd and prompted some lawmakers to call for a ban on such devices at Westminster due to security and privacy concerns. Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, a Plaid Cymru MS, has questioned the Llywydd on safeguards for the Senedd estate.

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  • ✓ Jason O'Connell uses smart glasses with an autocue feature to deliver speeches in the Senedd.
  • ✓ The smart glasses display a scrolling script to the wearer.
  • ✓ The use of these glasses has led to calls for a ban on the technology at Westminster.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 12 independent reporting domains (90% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Reform UK politician Jason O'Connell defended the use of the devices after initially refusing to confirm he wore them.

Live updates

  1. Reform UK politician defends using smart glasses for Senedd speeches

    Jason O'Connell, a Reform UK Member of the Senedd, is using smart glasses with an autocue feature to deliver speeches in the Welsh parliament. O'Connell claims the scrolling script has "massively" increased his confidence. The use of the technology has sparked a debate over equity in the Senedd and prompted some lawmakers to call for a ban on such devices at Westminster due to security and privacy concerns. Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, a Plaid Cymru MS, has questioned the Llywydd on safeguards for the Senedd estate.

    Why it matters

    The Senedd is the legislative body of Wales. The introduction of wearable teleprompters into parliamentary debate raises questions about transparency and the potential for politicians to appear more spontaneous than they are.

    What is confirmed

    • Jason O'Connell uses smart glasses with an autocue feature to deliver speeches in the Senedd.
    • The smart glasses display a scrolling script to the wearer.
    • The use of these glasses has led to calls for a ban on the technology at Westminster.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The use of smart glasses on the Senedd estate is a question of equity according to Plaid Cymru MS Sarah Cooper-Lesadd.
    • Terry Prone claims smart specs autocues give politicians a secret edge.

    What to watch next

    • Decision by the Llywydd on safeguards for smart glasses in the Senedd
    • Potential legislative action to ban smart glasses at Westminster
    Sources used for this update (13)
    1. www.yahoo.com — Yahoo
    2. BBC — Senedd member says smart glasses help with speeches in the Senedd
    3. Irish Examiner — Terry Prone: Smart specs autocue gives politicians a secret edge
    4. Nation.Cymru — Reform MS defends wearing smart glasses to deliver speeches in the Senedd
    5. The Guardian — The eyes have it: Reform politician’s ‘smart glasses’ prompt calls for ban in Westminster
    6. Herald.Wales — Senedd smart glasses row puts spotlight on Westminster security fears
    7. www.postcourier.com.pg — Drum – Tidbit
    8. www.bbc.co.uk — Reform politician says smart glasses helping him make speeches in Wales' parliament - BBC
    9. Nation.Cymru — Reform MS defends wearing smart glasses to deliver speeches in the Senedd
    10. nz.finance.yahoo.com — House prices on the rise - how does your area compare?
    11. rocketnews.com — The eyes have it: Reform politician’s ‘smart glasses’ prompt ...
    12. www.europesays.com — Senedd smart glasses row puts spotlight on Westminster ...
    confidence 90%
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