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Wales Expands Senedd, Switches to Proportional List

5/7/2026

27 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Wales switched to a purely proportional closed-list system, expanding the Senedd from 60 to 96 members.
On 7 May 2026 voters in England, Scotland and Wales voted in council and Welsh Senedd elections, with counting Friday.
English voters must show a photo ID at polling stations, whereas no ID is required in Scotland and Wales.
Labour defended more than half of about 5,000 English council seats and controls 65 councils.

History

Historical Context

The Welsh Assembly began in 1999 after the 1997 referendum, with 60 members elected on 6 May 1999 under a mixed-member system. The Government of Wales Acts of 1998 and 2006 gradually increased its powers, separating the Assembly from the Welsh Government. On 7 May 2026 the body will expand to 96 seats, marking the latest step in Wales’s devolution trajectory.

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Story summary

Wales switched to a purely proportional closed-list system, expanding the Senedd from 60 to 96 members.
On 7 May 2026 voters in England, Scotland and Wales voted in council and Welsh Senedd elections, with counting Friday.
English voters must show a photo ID at polling stations, whereas no ID is required in Scotland and Wales.
Labour defended more than half of about 5,000 English council seats and controls 65 councils.

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