National Assembly for Wales

National Assembly for Wales. The National Assembly for Wales, known since May 2020 as the Senedd, is the devolved, unicameral legislature of Wales. Established following the 1997 Welsh devolution referendum, it first convened in 1999 with limited law-making powers. Through subsequent acts like the Government of Wales Act 2006 and the Wales Act 2017, its authority has been significantly expanded, allowing it to pass acts across many devolved areas without requiring the prior consent of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

History

The creation of the institution was a key recommendation of the 1997 Labour manifesto under Tony Blair, following the narrow victory in the 1997 Welsh devolution referendum. The initial framework was established by the Government of Wales Act 1998, with the first election held in 1999. Initially, it operated as a corporate body, combining executive and legislative functions, a structure altered by the Government of Wales Act 2006. A major constitutional shift occurred after the 2011 Welsh devolution referendum, which granted it direct primary law-making powers in twenty devolved fields. Further autonomy was conferred by the Wales Act 2014 and the Wales Act 2017, which moved it to a reserved powers model of devolution similar to that of the Scottish Parliament. The Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 formally changed its name to Senedd.

Powers and functions

It holds the authority to legislate on a wide range of devolved matters, including health, education, local government, the Welsh language, the environment, and agriculture. Its legislative competence is defined by the Government of Wales Act 2006 as amended, operating under a reserved powers model where all areas are devolved unless explicitly reserved to Westminster. It scrutinises the expenditure and policies of the Welsh Government, holding ministers to account through First Minister's Questions and committee inquiries. It also has limited tax-varying powers, such as over Land Transaction Tax, and the ability to call for a referendum on income tax.

Composition and elections

It is composed of 60 members, known as Members of the Senedd. Elections are held every five years under an Additional Member System, which combines first-past-the-post and proportional representation. Forty MSs are elected from single-member constituencies, with a further twenty elected from five electoral regions to top-up the overall result. The most recent election was the 2021 Senedd election, which resulted in Welsh Labour, led by Mark Drakeford, winning exactly half the seats. Other represented parties include the Welsh Conservatives, Plaid Cymru, and the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

Building and location

It is permanently housed in the Senedd building, a landmark structure in Cardiff Bay designed by the Richard Rogers architectural practice. The building, which opened in 2006, is noted for its sustainable design and distinctive funnel-shaped debating chamber. Prior to this, it met in the nearby Tŷ Hywel building and, temporarily after its establishment, in Crickhowell House. The debating chamber and committee rooms are open to the public, and the institution's estate also includes the historic Pierhead Building.

Relationship with the Welsh Government

The Welsh Government is the devolved executive, formed from the largest party or coalition within the legislature. The government is headed by the First Minister, nominated by the Senedd and officially appointed by the British monarch. While the government proposes most legislation and sets policy, it is accountable to the legislature, which must approve its budget and can pass motions of no confidence. This separation was formalised by the Government of Wales Act 2006, which ended the initial corporate body model and created a distinct Welsh Government and Senedd Commission to oversee the parliament's resources.