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Why the next Senedd could be the least representative of women ever

The Senedd hit the headlines back in 2003 when it became the first legislature in the world to reach 50:50 gender parity between men and women. It was a proud moment for our country and...

Posted 08 Apr 2025

the responsibility is now squarely on political parties to step up

In discussion with Plaid Cymru leader Rhun Ap Iorwerth MS: Threats, Challenges and Opportunities for Welsh Democracy

Last weekend, Plaid Cymru members gathered in Llandudno for their Spring Conference as they begin to set their sights on the 2026 Senedd election. As part of the event, ERS Cymru Director, Jess Blair, hosted...

Posted 27 Mar 2025

We called for a one stop shop for election information – it’s now coming to Wales

On Tuesday, the Senedd approved regulations establishing the Welsh Voter Information Platform, as required by Section 26 of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act 2024. This platform will centralise election-related information, making it easier...

Posted 13 Mar 2025

Access key details about elections candidates and polling arrangements

Why the Senedd’s new recall system might hurt accountability

Last week, the Senedd’s Standards of Conduct Committee published a report recommending the introduction of a recall procedure, allowing voters to remove and replace Members of the Senedd (MSs) who have seriously breached the Code...

Posted 05 Feb 2025

Listen to our conversation with Mark Drakeford MS on Welsh democracy

Back at Welsh Labour party conference in November, ERS Cymru hosted an ‘in conversation’ with Mark Drakeford MS where he reflected on the past, the present and the future of Welsh democracy. In a wide...

Posted 16 Jan 2025

Where next for Welsh democracy as Plaid Cymru top Senedd voting intention poll?

The latest Barn Cymru poll released earlier in December by YouGov for ITV Wales and Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre suggests that Plaid Cymru could be the largest party in the Senedd come 2026. The...

Posted 18 Dec 2024

Plaid Cymru Conference ERS panel discussion

Majority of councillors vote for STV in Gwynedd, but vote fails to reach high threshold by one vote

There was a disappointing outcome in Gwynedd this afternoon as we just fell short in winning the council’s vote on changing the voting system to the Single Transferable Vote (STV) by a single vote. The...

Posted 24 Oct 2024

Over 70% of residents in a consultation, and a majority of councillors backed the move

It’s 3 for 3! Residents’ consultation in Ceredigion is the third to back fair votes under STV

There was more fantastic news out of Wales today, as Ceredigion County Council released the results of their consultation on whether to change the voting system used at local elections to the fairer Single Transferable...

Posted 23 Oct 2024

67 percent of respondents favoured STV over the current system

Second Welsh consultation backs STV as Powys residents nearly two-thirds in favour

There was more fantastic news out of Wales last week, as Powys County Council released the results of their consultation on whether to change the voting system used at local elections. The results weren’t even...

Posted 15 Oct 2024

Under a third of respondents supported First Past the Post for local elections in Powys

Gwynedd consultation backs STV with nearly three quarters in favour

There was some fantastic news out of Gwynedd last week, as Cyngor Gwynedd released the results of its consultation on whether to change the voting system used at local elections. The results weren’t even close,...

Posted 08 Oct 2024