Right to scrap First Past the Post won for Welsh councils Imagine just for a second that local government could be reformed to ensure people are more engaged, their votes matter and their voices are properly heard. That rather than putting up barriers to participating in... Posted 18 Nov 2020
Manifesto for democracy: A Stronger Senedd The Senedd looks very different to when it was first conceived in 1999. Ongoing devolution has meant more powers are held in Cardiff Bay – including primary law-making powers and tax-varying powers that create a... Posted 23 Oct 2020
ERS Cymru’s 2021 Manifesto for Democracy In just over six short months voters in Wales will head to the polls for the Senedd elections. This election will be different in many ways, with many alternative measures expected to be in place... Posted 22 Oct 2020
Building a stronger Senedd: Why size (still) matters Almost since its inception, there has been discussion and debate about a larger National Assembly here in Wales. Most recently, an expert panel on Assembly reform led by Professor Laura McAllister stated simply that the... Posted 19 Jul 2019
Legislation introduced to extend the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds in Wales Devolution to Wales has meant that we do a number of things differently from other parts of the UK. From having distinct policies around tuition fees for Welsh students heading to university, to bringing forward... Posted 12 Feb 2019
Why we need real leadership on democratic reform from the next Welsh Labour leader What was always set to be an interesting Welsh Labour conference this weekend quickly became one for the history books as Carwyn Jones used his conference speech to announce his intention to stand down as... Posted 24 Apr 2018
Welsh Assembly must not miss this golden opportunity for reform Politics in Wales has reached a critical juncture – and this week Assembly Members (AMs) have a big decision to make. One road would see exciting changes to the way politicians are elected, placing power... Posted 06 Feb 2018
Open letter – Wales needs an Assembly which has the resources to do the job Open letter from former Welsh Assembly Members responding to the National Assembly for Wales’ Expert Panel on Electoral Reform. Wales needs an Assembly which has the resources to ensure that the financial, policy and legislative... Posted 13 Dec 2017
Wales needs a stronger Senedd that’s fit for the future In 20 years of its existence – through the growth in the Assembly’s responsibilities to the expansion of the Welsh Government and its powers, one thing has changed very little: the Senedd’s capacity to scrutinise,... Posted 12 Dec 2017
An inconvenient truth – It’s time for more Assembly Members Jess Blair says the case for a larger Assembly has to be made beyond Cardiff Bay to the people it will impact. Having more Assembly Members isn’t necessarily on anyone’s Christmas list, but it should... Posted 06 Nov 2017