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Why the Senedd needs more members

With just 60 elected members, Wales’ Parliament has long been under-resourced. But that problem has grown as Wales acquired more responsibilities – without the representatives needed to properly scrutinise legislation. Changes to the size of...

Posted 13 Mar 2022

Investing in scrutiny will ensure that the Senedd better delivers for Wales

Right to scrap First Past the Post won for Welsh councils

UPDATE: On Wednesday 21st January, the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill became law after receiving Royal Assent. Now the campaign begins to ensure councils in Wales sign up to a fairer voting system, and...

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