Join us online on 23 July for the relaunch of WriteToThem in Wales, and learn how to reach the right representative in Wales's changing democratic landscape. We'll also be joined by @jessblair.bsky.social from the Electoral Reform Society to discuss how Welsh politics has evolved. luma.com/tfn60j3e

Getting the right message to the right place: navigating changes in Welsh democracy · Luma

Join mySociety to relaunch WriteToThem in Wales and learn how to reach the right representative in a changed democratic landscape. Wales's democratic map has…

luma.com

Every election sees last-minute surges in voter registration. Automating registration reduces that pressure on administrators, focusing efforts on encouraging voters to participate. Wales is demonstrating how to make elections work better. buff.ly/JDgdxwc

Wales becomes the first UK nation to introduce Automatic Voter Registration

Last week, the Welsh Government laid new regulations to introduce Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) across all 22 Welsh local authorities ahead of the 2027 local elections. This marks a

buff.ly

Did a little deep dive into the data for last week’s Senedd election. ⬇️

NationCymru@nation.cymru · 3mo ago

Compared with some of the other elections held last Thursday the Senedd election was much better able to manage the fragmentation we are seeing across the UK ✍️ Jessica Blair, Director Electoral Reform Society Wales

ON THE BLOG: How will the 2026 Senedd election change Welsh politics? Following our March webinar, panellist @jessblair.bsky.social explains the changes that have been made to the Senedd and how MSs will be elected, and argues the chosen electoral system of closed lists should be replaced by STV

How will the 2026 Senedd election change Welsh politics?

On Thursday, a new Senedd will be elected in Wales, using an altered electoral system. The result will be an enlarged Senedd, with more members than previous incarnations. Jess Blair explains the changes that have been made, analyses their pros and cons, and argues that the chosen electoral system of closed lists should be replaced with the Single Transferable Vote system (STV).

constitution-unit.com

With less than a week until the Senedd election, I’ve jotted down a few thoughts on how the election itself will be different and what the issues with the changes are. 👇

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 3mo ago

NEW BLOG: How will the 2026 Senedd election change Welsh politics? Following our webinar in March, panellist @jessblair.bsky.social explains the changes that have been made to the Senedd and how MSs will be elected, and argues the chosen electoral system of closed lists should be replaced by STV

Delighted to be asked to offer some thoughts on the changes coming to the elections in Wales in just a couple of months. If you are keen to hear more you can catch up below 👇

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 5mo ago

How will the 2026 Senedd election change Welsh politics? Earlier today, @jessblair.bsky.social, @lauramcallister30.bsky.social and @paulsilk.bsky.social discussed the Senedd's possible makeup, new voting system and expansion. Watch (or listen through our podcast) 👇

How will the 2026 Senedd election change Welsh politics? On 5 March, join @jessblair.bsky.social, @lauramcallister30.bsky.social and @paulsilk.bsky.social to discuss recent and possible future reforms to the Senedd. Sign up for this free, online event 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

Be part of Wales’ changing democracy – join us at the Senedd for expert insights on the changes ahead, and learn how to prepare your organisation for post-election engagement. Book here 👉 https://ow.ly/yK7N50XgONb Jess Blair Joe Rossiter Maria Drave

Fascinating keynote from @mickantoniw.bsky.social at the @iwa-wales.bsky.social AGM today on the breakdown of trust in democracy and the need for radical constitutional reform.

Not a surprise to hear AVR likely not going to be in place for 2026 but it’s a problem of the Welsh Government’s making to some extent. And it’s the 400,000 missing off the register who will bear the consequences of this. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Automatic registration looking unlikely for next Senedd election

First minister says it will be a

bbc.co.uk

🥀 Support for Labour plummets in ITV Wales' poll - all the reaction from our panel @jessblair.bsky.social @adrianmasters84.bsky.social @jaclarner.bsky.social 🎥 We hear from @prifweinidog.gov.wales plus those looking to succeed her 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Elin Jones on why she's stepping down as Llywydd 📺 10:45pm

Pleased to have been appointed to the Welsh Government’s Innovating Democracy Advisory Group. There’s a huge amount of work to do to get democracy in Wales to work for everyone. Looking forward to getting started. www.gov.wales/written-stat...

Written Statement: Innovating Democracy Advisory Group | GOV.WALES

Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

gov.wales

Wrote this for @nation.cymru on why the next Senedd could be the least representative ever. I really hope that’s not the case but it’s up to the political parties to stop it from happening. nation.cymru/opinion/why-...

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

Jessica Blair, Director of ERS Cymru 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 mome...

nation.cymru

Really interesting discussion @plaidcymru.bsky.social conference between @jessblair.bsky.social and @rhunapiorwerth.bsky.social discussing the impact the new electoral system will have for Welsh democracy and how it should lead to improved representation and diversity

Under these plans voters could remove a badly behaving MS (good) but not get to decide on their replacement (very bad). In order for this to work & rebuild trust we need proper accountability, not a half measure. Misbehaving Welsh politicians may face recall vote www.bbc.com/news/article...

Misbehaving Welsh Senedd politicians could be voted out

Members of the Senedd could face a referendum on their future if they are suspended.

bbc.com

A topical and important event coming up next week. 👇

Wales Governance Centre | Canolfan Llywodraethiant Cymru@walesgovernance.bsky.social · 2y ago

EVENT: Was 2021 a false start for 'Votes at 16' in Wales?🗳️📊 29th Jan 2025 at 12.00 The Welsh Election Study and ERS Cymru present and discuss the data from the 2021 Welsh Parliament election and what recommendations should follow for 2026. Register below! 👇 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-false-st...

Some end of 2024 listening now up at @hiraethpod.bsky.social!

Hiraeth - Welsh Politics@hiraethpod.bsky.social · 2y ago

🚨NEW POD🚨 In our last pod of 2024, friend of the pod @jessblair.bsky.social speaks with former FM Mark Drakeford about reforms to Welsh democracy under his premiership, political compromise in dealmaking, and 'the best old people's home in London'. #Wales #Cymru open.spotify.com/episode/6Z0u...

What am I doing on my first day off of the festive season, you ask? Listening to the latest @waterslee.bsky.social podcast in the gym. Think this one might be the best yet. Some genuinely jaw dropping anecdotes 👀 open.spotify.com/episode/3JL0...

3 - Dysfunction (The Civil Service - part two)

Y Pumed Llawr - The Fifth Floor · Episode

open.spotify.com

Turns out the General Election in July was not only the most disproportional election in British history, but also one of the most disproportional seen anywhere in the world. That’s quite the achievement 🥇😬

Electoral Reform Society@electoralreform.bsky.social · 2y ago

Our new report on the 2024 General Election, A System Out of Step, explores in depth the most disproportional election in British history, in terms of how we voted and what we got. Our research reveals the full, worrying picture from this election. www.electoral-reform.org.uk/a-system-out...

Well this nearly gave me a heart attack when it went off. Stay safe everyone.

Mike Hughes@mikehughes.bsky.social · 2y ago

Emergency alert message sent to millions of people across Wales and south west England as #StormDarragh approaches bringing winds of up to 90mph

This year’s Feminist Scorecard has been released by WEN Wales & Oxfam. Spoiler alert; things aren’t good. 🔴 ratings for both fair finance & caring responsibilities. No significant progress made in any of the 6 areas.

Thought I’d give the new TfW Pay as You Go system a try after seeing it’s been rolled out. Tapped a suspicious looking machine on the platform but nothing showing on the app. Anyone know which stations are included? Ive belt & braced it and bought a ticket too 🙃 news.tfw.wales/news/pay-as-...

10000% this!! @storyvillebooks.bsky.social is an amazing independent shop in #Pontypridd and was at the heart of the wonderful @eisteddfod.cymru fringe this year. They’ve been hit hard and because they’re a real shop, not a river-based wesbsite, they have stock that’s been damaged. Donate/Buy! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Dr Delyth Badder@folklorewales.com · 2y ago

⚠️ Pontypridd has been hit by devastating floods and our wonderful independent bookshop, Storyville Books, has seen much of its stock destroyed. If you’re able to buy a book from them, this would go such a long way to help support them rebuild in the aftermath. 👉 uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyvi...

Prior to photographing my cat on a radiator I was in the Senedd arguing that voters should have a fuller say in who replaces a politician who’s been kicked out for bad behaviour.

Golwg360@golwg.360.cymru · 2y ago

Galw am yr hawl i ddewis olynwyr i wleidyddion sy’n cael eu symud o’u swyddi Mae’r Gymdeithas Diwygio Etholiadol yn cefnogi’r ymgyrch #gwleidyddiaeth ✍️ Chris Haines, Gohebydd Senedd ICNN

Oh to be a cat on a radiator on this freezing cold day.

For anyone at Welsh Labour Conference today we’ve got a cracking fringe this lunchtime!

The next stop on the trip around Wales. 👋 Llandudno!

A few days travelling around Wales for work. First stop has been Aberaeron. Beautiful 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿