Senedd Smart Glasses Storm: Reform Politician Accused of Using Hi-Tech Specs to Prompt His Speech

A Reform UK politician's smart glasses have sparked a fresh row at the Senedd after fellow Members questioned whether the hi-tech device may have been displaying prompts during a speech.

Jason O'Connell, the Reform UK MS for Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr, delivered the opening contribution in a Senedd debate on Wales' default 20mph speed limit on 30 September.

Several Senedd Members reportedly said they noticed flashes or apparent movement resembling text within the lenses as O'Connell spoke, prompting questions about whether the glasses could have been displaying speech prompts.

O'Connell did not respond when contacted about the concerns. Reform UK, however, defended the use of the technology, describing it as potentially the next stage in how politicians use digital devices.

Reform Calls Smart Glasses the 'Next Step'

Asked whether guidance had been sought before O'Connell used the glasses in the chamber, a Reform UK spokesman said, 'There's nothing unusual about seeing parliamentarians reading speeches from tablets or phones. This is likely the next step in that journey.'

The response highlights the growing use of wearable technology as an alternative to conventional devices and paper notes.

Smart glasses can perform different functions depending on the model. Some can display digital information in the wearer's field of vision, while others offer calls, music or recording capabilities.

In O'Connell's case, it has not been established whether the glasses displayed any information during the speech or, if they did, what that information was.

The Speech That Triggered the Row

The incident unfolded as O'Connell opened a Reform UK debate calling on the Welsh Government to scrap the default 20mph speed limit.

The official Senedd record confirms that O'Connell moved the motion during the September 30 plenary session. The original Reform motion was rejected by 51 votes to 37. An amendment was then approved by 52 votes to 36, after which the motion as amended was also agreed by 52 votes to 36.

Against that political backdrop, attention quickly shifted to the politician's eyewear.

Members who spoke to Nation.Cymru said they suspected O'Connell may have been using a teleprompter function, with one saying they saw glimpses of text moving across his lenses. Others noted that he appeared not to look down at a conventional script during the contribution.

There is currently no confirmation of what was being displayed, but the episode has opened a surprisingly modern question for an ancient parliamentary ritual: where exactly do 'notes' begin and end when they can sit inside your glasses?

Senedd Raises Questions Over the Rules

Reporting on the incident indicates that the Senedd has no specific rule prohibiting Members from using smart glasses as an aid during speeches. Members routinely use written and electronic materials during parliamentary proceedings.

But the Senedd Commission has indicated that the use of smart glasses in the chamber should be discussed with the Llywydd in advance.

A Senedd spokesperson said Llywydd Huw Irranca-Davies, the Presiding Officer of the Welsh Parliament, would expect any Member intending to use this type of technology in the chamber to discuss it with him first.

That gives the controversy a much bigger dimension than one politician's choice of eyewear. The technology may be new, but the rules governing parliamentary conduct now have to catch up with it.

The Camera and Privacy Problem

There is another reason some smart glasses are attracting scrutiny: certain models contain cameras capable of recording images or video.

Reform UK said O'Connell's glasses did not have a camera. The Senedd nevertheless has strict rules covering filming in non-public areas of its estate, with permission required from the Llywydd.

The institution said it remained open to discussions with Members about concerns and ways to improve security.

That wider concern is becoming increasingly relevant. Governments, courts and other institutions are examining restrictions on smart glasses amid fears that camera-equipped devices could discreetly record people or sensitive material.

What Kind of Glasses Was O'Connell Wearing?

Reform did not identify the make or model of O'Connell's glasses.

The glasses' make and model have not been publicly confirmed. MemoMind sells a camera-free AI glasses model with a dual-eye display, currently listed by the company at $399, but there is no confirmation that O'Connell was wearing this product.

Neither O'Connell nor Reform confirmed that the glasses were made by MemoMind, so the apparent resemblance should not be treated as an identification.

A New Test for Politics

The Senedd smart glasses row could ultimately prove bigger than the speech that triggered it.

A Reform UK spokesman described wearable technology as the 'next step' after phones and tablets. The Senedd, meanwhile, has made clear that Members using this type of technology should discuss it with the Llywydd.

As smart glasses increasingly incorporate displays that can place information within a user's field of vision, the Senedd may face questions about how existing rules should apply to the technology.