Could changes be made again to Senedd constituencies?
At May’s Senedd election, Montgomeryshire’s constituency was swallowed up by a newly formed, and ludicrously large, Gwynedd Maldwyn, which meant Welshpool voters voted for the same candidates as those in Pwllheli.
This followed a review that led to 16 constituencies pair up from previous boundaries, with each electing six members to the expanded 96-seat Senedd.
It proved hugely confusing for our readers, but this morning it has been revealed that Senedd constituencies will be reviewed once again as the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru publishes a guide to its 2030 Review.
They said that boundaries could be re-drawn using an electrical quota which means each constituency is within +/-10% of the average voter numbers.
A number of other factors will be taken into consideration like local government boundaries, geographic considerations and local ties as it develops its proposals.
Chief Executive of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru, Shereen Williams MBE OStJ, said: “The Commission is looking forward to holding a full review for the Senedd’s constituencies, with a greater opportunity for people to share their views and impact the proposals.
“Whenever the Commission holds a review, the public’s feedback, especially on their local area, is vital to making sure our determinations are the strongest possible.
“The move from pairing parliamentary constituencies to using an electoral quota does mean that some changes will be necessary at this review, but it also gives us an opportunity to respond with greater flexibility to the public’s views, while ensuring that we minimise changes wherever we can.”
The review timeline:
The new review will feature more opportunities for people to share their views. Initial proposals are due to be published in early 2027. This publication will be followed by an 8-week consultation period where people will be encouraged to share their feedback on the proposals.
The Commission will then publish the comments it receives and hold its secondary consultation period where people will be invited to support, or make counter-arguments to the comments received during the first consultation.
During this consultation, the Commission will also hold public hearings where people can express their views in person. Details of these hearings will be published in due course.
Following these consultations, the Commission will publish its revised proposals, should it decide based on the consultations that it should make changes to its initial proposals. These proposals would be put to a 4-week consultation.
Finally, having considered all of the evidence received across its 3 consultations and public hearings, the Commission will publish its Final Determinations, which must be submitted to Welsh Ministers before 1 December 2028.
Welsh Government will then give effect to the determinations, which will come into force ahead of the 2030 Senedd election.
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