Senedd

The Senedd, also called the Welsh Parliament, is the main governing body for Wales. It makes laws and checks on the work of the Welsh Government. The Senedd is special because it can use both Welsh and English languages in its work. Before May 2020, it was known as the National Assembly for Wales.

The Senedd has 96 members called Members of the Senedd, or MS for short. They are chosen by people in Wales to represent different areas. Until 2026, elections happened every five years, but now they happen every four years. The group with the most members usually leads the Welsh Government.

The Senedd was created in May 1999 after a vote by people in Wales. It started with few powers but gained more over time. Today, it can make laws about many important topics like health, education, and the environment, though some powers are still controlled by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. In May 2020, the National Assembly for Wales was renamed to "Senedd Cymru" or "Welsh Parliament".

History

Road to devolution

Main article: Welsh devolution

People in Wales have wanted more self-rule for a long time. In the late 1800s, they started forming their own groups, like a cultural event called the National Eisteddfod of Wales and sports teams like the Football Association of Wales. Over the years, more groups were formed, such as schools, a library, and even a special government group just for Wales.

In 1997, people in Wales voted to create a group called the National Assembly for Wales. This group could help make decisions for Wales without needing approval from the government in London. In 1999, the Assembly started working, taking over some jobs from the government in London.

Enhanced powers: The Government of Wales Act 2006

Main article: Government of Wales Act 2006

In 2006, a new law gave the Assembly more power to make its own rules. This meant the Assembly could decide on many things that used to need approval from London. The Assembly also changed how people were chosen to work there.

Reserved powers model: The Wales Act 2017

Main article: Wales Act 2017

In 2017, Wales changed how it shared power with the government in London. Now, London keeps only certain powers, and Wales can decide on almost everything else. This made Wales more like Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Name change

In 2020, the Assembly changed its name to Senedd Cymru or the Welsh Parliament. People now call members of this group Members of the Senedd.

Expansion

In 2022, leaders in Wales decided to make the Senedd bigger. They plan to increase the number of Members from 60 to 96. This change will help the Senedd do its job better for the people of Wales.

Powers and status

Main article: Powers and status of Welsh devolution

See also: 2011 Welsh devolution referendum; Devolved, reserved and excepted matters; and Act of Senedd Cymru

The Senedd has 60 elected members who are called Members of the Senedd (MS). The group that helps run the Senedd is called the Welsh Government. It has been led by a group of people called Labour since it started in 1999. As of August 2024, the leader is Eluned Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Ely.

The Senedd can make rules and decisions about many important topics that affect Wales, but some big decisions are still made by the government in London, called Westminster. The Senedd can make decisions about things like education, health, and the environment, but not about things like defence or foreign affairs.

Powers of the Senedd

Main article: Devolved, reserved and excepted matters

The Senedd can create laws called Acts of Senedd Cymru for many areas that are not controlled by Westminster. This includes topics such as farming, culture, and transportation. However, there are some areas like immigration and most taxes that Westminster still controls.

The Senedd inherited powers from the Secretary of State for Wales and the Welsh Office. After a vote in 2011, the Senedd gained more power to make laws without needing approval from Westminster. In 2012, it passed its first Act about local government rules.

The Wales Act 2014 and Wales Act 2017 gave the Senedd control over some taxes, like taxes on land and buildings, starting in 2015 and 2018.

Members, constituencies, and electoral system

See also: List of members of the Senedd and List of Senedd constituencies

The Senedd used a special voting system called the Additional Member System. Under this system, forty members were elected from local areas, where each area picks one member who gets the most votes. Twenty more members were chosen from five larger regions: Mid and West Wales, North Wales, South Wales Central, South Wales East, and South Wales West. These regional members helped make sure that the results were fairer for each party.

Later, a new law called the Senedd Cymru (members and elections) Act 2024 changed the voting system. Starting in the 2026 election, members will be chosen using a proportional representation system from six larger areas, each made up of two neighboring local areas.

In April 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senedd held meetings online using Zoom videotelephony software, and these sessions were broadcast by Senedd.tv.

Composition

Plaid Cymru won 43 out of 96 seats in the 2026 Senedd elections, just 6 seats short of having most of the seats. On 9 May 2026, the leader of Plaid Cymru Rhun ap Iorwerth said they would try to lead a minority government, and he is expected to become the First Minister on 12 May.

Reform UK is expected to become the official opposition with 34 seats. Both Welsh Labour and the Welsh Conservatives have enough seats to work together with Plaid Cymru to pass laws.

Following the 2026 Senedd election, there are 6 parties represented in the Senedd. Four of these parties have enough seats to be official groups. These groups get more time to speak, sit on committees, and have more resources.

Officials

Elected officials

Main article: Llywydd of the Senedd

After each election, the Senedd chooses one Member to be the Llywydd (Presiding Officer) and another to be the Deputy Presiding Officer. Elin Jones, from Plaid Cymru, has been Llywydd since 2016. The Llywydd also leads the Senedd Commission. Usually, these leaders do not vote unless there is a tie.

Permanent officials

The Senedd has staff who help run its daily work. These staff members are employed by the Senedd Commission and have good working conditions, similar to those in the UK Civil Service. The top staff member is the chief executive and clerk, a job currently held by Manon Antoniazzi.

Elections

See also: List of Senedd elections and Elections in Wales § Devolved parliament elections

There have been seven elections to the Senedd. The most recent election was held on Thursday, May 7, 2026. This election included several changes, such as increasing the number of members from 60 to 96 and changing how votes are counted.

2026 election

Turnout

Voter turnout for Senedd elections has often been lower than for UK general elections. In 2026, turnout reached 51.6%, which was the first time it went above 50%. However, this is still lower than recent UK general elections in Wales. Some experts think people may not vote because they feel their vote won't change the outcome in Senedd elections, unlike in UK general elections.

Buildings

Senedd building

The Senedd building in Cardiff Bay was designed by the Richard Rogers Partnership and built by Taylor Woodrow. It uses traditional Welsh materials like slate and Welsh oak. The building was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on Saint David's Day, 1 March 2006.

The Senedd building is designed to be friendly to the environment. It uses an Earth Heat Exchange system for heating, collects rainwater for cleaning and toilets, and has a special roof design that brings in natural light and air.

Telecasting

The Senedd building has a debating chamber and committee rooms. When it opened in 2006, live sessions were shown on S4C2 and the internet. Now, live sessions are shown on the Senedd's own website, Senedd.tv, in both English and Welsh. Important events are also shown on BBC Parliament and iPlayer.

Tŷ Hywel and Pierhead Building

Main articles: Tŷ Hywel and Pierhead Building

Between 1999 and 2006, meetings were held in Tŷ Hywel, which is connected to the Senedd by a skyway. Tŷ Hywel will host meetings again from April 2025 to March 2026 while the main chamber is being updated.

The Pierhead Building is the Visitor and Education Centre for the Senedd. It has an exhibition about the Senedd's history and work, and a small gift shop.

North Wales Office

The Senedd North Wales Office is in Llandudno Junction and is open to the public on weekdays. It was previously located in Colwyn Bay.

Inclusivity review

In 2026, a group led by Joyce Watson looked at how welcoming the Senedd is for everyone. They found that not enough parents with young children were represented, and many members had to balance taking care of others with their work. The long hours made it hard to spend time with families. The review also showed that there needed to be more diversity among members, including people from different backgrounds, abilities, and those who identify as LGBTQ.