Wales stands at an important crossroads in its democratic journey. ERS Cymru has developed a proposal to change the way we elect members of the Senedd, replacing the planned closed-list system with the Single Transferable Vote (STV). This proposal represents not just a technical adjustment, but a fundamental conversation about the kind of democracy we want for Wales.
Under STV, people can choose between individual candidates as well as parties, ensuring that elected representatives are accountable directly to the voters who elect them. Working with Alun Davies MS and members of other political parties, ERS has developed a bill to make this vision a reality.
Why This Matters for Voters
The Senedd election next year will be held under a system no one wanted – the closed list system. Closed lists will deliver a proportional result but will not deliver accountability, with voters only being able to back political parties rather than the individual candidates on the ballot paper that will actually represent them in the Senedd.
Both the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform and the Expert Panel on Assembly Electoral Reform recommended the Single Transferable Vote (STV) instead of the closed list system, which would deliver both proportionality, ensuring the Senedd looks the way the Welsh people voted, and direct accountability to voters for MSs.
Voter choice is not a technical detail; it is the foundation of trust in our institutions. When people can identify the individuals they have helped elect, it strengthens legitimacy and engagement. Closed lists, by contrast, risk creating a sense of distance between voters and those who serve them.
Strengthening Accountability and Representation
The introduction of STV would mark a positive step towards a more open and representative Senedd. It would allow people to express nuanced preferences and ensure that no vote is wasted. In practical terms, this means that the Senedd would better reflect the diversity of views across Wales.
This reform also matters for accountability. Under STV, individual members of the Senedd would need to maintain direct relationships with their communities, earning and retaining the trust of those who elect them. That personal link is crucial if we are to build a legislature that feels connected, responsive and legitimate.
Building a Better Democracy for Wales
After the next Senedd election in May 2026 Members of the Senedd will have the chance to review the closed list system.
Wales has the opportunity once again to show leadership in democratic innovation. We have done it before. From devolution to gender balance in representation, Wales has shown that reform can make politics work better for people.
Moving to STV would continue that tradition. It would bring more openness, more accountability and a system that truly reflects the will of voters. It would mean that every vote counts and that every voter can recognise their influence in shaping the Senedd.
We warned from the start that closed lists risked being a lose-lose compromise and that we needed a voting system that works for the Welsh people. This draft Bill demonstrates how easy the change from the closed list system to STV would be, if the circumstances after the May election meant a change would be possible. As a reminder, constitutional change in Wales requires a 2/3 majority of Senedd Members to vote in favour, so this would need to be a change backed across the political spectrum.
For democracy to thrive, people must feel that their voice matters. Reforming the voting system is one of the most powerful ways to make that happen. The debate now beginning in Wales is a chance to strengthen our institutions, renew public trust and ensure that our democracy continues to grow with the people it serves.
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