Senedd reform
From the Senedd election on 7 May 2026, the Senedd will undergo major reforms. It will move to a system of 16 constituencies, each electing six Members of the Senedd (MSs). This means the Senedd will increase from its current 60 members to 96. A new proportional electoral system, known as a closed‑list system, will also be used.
Overview
- Background
- The previous system
- The new system
- Electoral system
- Other changes
- Equalities guidance
- What does this mean for voluntary organisations engaging with the Senedd?
Background
The new electoral system and constituencies for the Senedd were introduced by the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act, which became law in June 2024.
Since its inception in 1999, the powers and responsibilities of the Senedd have significantly expanded. However, the actual makeup of the Senedd has remained relatively unchanged over this period. This has led to an ongoing debate about expanding the institution, with one report describing the Senedd as ‘underpowered and overstretched’.
Senedd expansion formed part of the Welsh Labour–Plaid Cymru Cooperation Agreement during the sixth Senedd (2021–2026). The proposed reforms that emerged from this agreement were endorsed by a cross-party Senedd committee and ultimately became the Senedd Cymru(Members and Elections) Act.
The previous system
The sixth Senedd, elected in 2021, comprises 40 single-member constituencies elected using the first-past-the-post system. Voters cast one vote to elect a single member who represents one of the 40 Senedd constituencies. They then cast a second vote for their regional member. There are 20 regional members, with four elected from each of the five regions. These additional members are elected using a form of closed-list proportional representation. The seats are allocated using a mathematical formula known as the D’Hondt method. Together, this system is known as the Additional Member System.
The new system
The new constituencies
The next Senedd will comprise 96 members elected across 16 constituencies, with each constituency electing six members. The consistencies have been created by merging each of the 32 Westminster constituencies in Wales into 16 larger constituencies. The new seats are:
- Bangor Conwy Môn
- Clwyd
- Fflint Wrecsam
- Gwynedd Maldwyn
- Ceredigion Penfro
- Sir Gaerfyrddin
- Gŵyr Abertawe
- Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd
- Afan Ogwr Rhondda
- Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr
- Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni
- Sir Fynwy Torfaen
- Casnewydd Islwyn
- Caerdydd Penarth
- Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf
- Pen-y-bont Morgannwg
Electoral system
In addition to the changes to constituencies, the Senedd will also adopt a new electoral system known as closed list proportional representation. Under this system, voters will now only be able to vote once. They will vote for a party rather than an individual candidate, except in cases where an independent candidate is standing. In most cases, voters will choose a party that has put forward a predetermined list of candidates for each constituency. Candidates are then elected in order from these lists, using the D’Hondt formula.
Other changes
Several other changes were also introduced under the Act. The Senedd term has reverted to four years. This was the case between 1999 and 2011, before switching to five-year terms. This means that after the 2026 Senedd election, the following Senedd election will take place in May 2030.
The reforms will also increase the size of the Welsh Government from 12 to 17 Welsh Ministers, not including the First Minister and the Counsel General. There are provisions within the Act allowing for up to 19 Ministers to be appointed with Senedd approval. The Act also provides for an additional Deputy Presiding Officer.
Equalities guidance
In addition to the legal changes to the Senedd, the Welsh Government has issued voluntary guidance to political parties. This includes advice to develop diversity strategies for Welsh elections, to collect and publish candidates’ diversity data, and to consider quotas for female candidates.
What does this mean for voluntary organisations engaging with the Senedd?
It is likely that even if your organisation works within just one local authority area, you may now have 12 or more MSs representing the communities you support.
These changes will affect how the voluntary sector engages with the Senedd in several ways. Most importantly, you will no longer have a single local constituency MS; instead, you will have six. In many ways, this is not a dramatic departure from the old system, where you had one constituency MS and four regional MSs. However, we know that some organisations found it easier to work directly with their local MS, particularly if they operated in a single constituency.
While you will no longer have one designated constituency representative, having six MSs will give you more opportunities to engage with them—and for them to engage with you. It is likely that even if your organisation works within just one local authority area, you may now have 12 or more MSs representing the communities you support.
You may find that one of your local MSs has an interest that overlaps with your work, or sits on a committee relevant to your policy area. Engaging strategically with these MSs may be more effective. You can find more information on ways to engage with the Senedd in our explainer on engaging with parliament and government. The additional capacity created by increasing the number of MSs will also change aspects of how the institution operates. The IWA has suggested that ‘more backbenchers, extra capacity for committee sessions, more consequential debating time in the Senedd, [and] more frequent legislation’ are all potential consequences of the increase in members. In turn, this will create new opportunities for the voluntary sector to engage with the Senedd, build relationships, and promote its work.
