Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020

Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 is a landmark piece of devolved legislation passed by the Senedd that fundamentally reformed the Welsh Parliament and its electoral system. The Act officially renamed the National Assembly for Wales to the Senedd Cymru or Welsh Parliament, reflecting its enhanced legislative powers. It also enacted significant democratic reforms, including lowering the voting age for Senedd elections and expanding the franchise to include eligible foreign nationals.

Background and introduction

The push for reform followed the recommendations of the Expert Panel on Assembly Electoral Reform, chaired by Professor Laura McAllister, which reported in 2017. This built upon the evolving constitutional settlement for Wales, particularly after the Wales Act 2017 which cemented the National Assembly for Wales as a permanent part of the UK constitution. The Welsh Government, led by First Minister Mark Drakeford, argued that the name "National Assembly for Wales" no longer conveyed its full law-making powers, while aligning the voting age with that for Scottish Parliament elections was seen as a matter of democratic fairness. The legislation was also influenced by the broader context of devolution in the United Kingdom and comparisons with the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Provisions of the Act

The Act's central provision was to rename the National Assembly for Wales as Senedd Cymru, with the institution commonly to be known as the Senedd or the Welsh Parliament. It lowered the voting age for Senedd elections and local government elections in Wales from 18 to 16. Furthermore, it extended the franchise to include all legal residents, meaning foreign nationals with permission to live in the UK could vote. The Act also amended the disqualification rules for Members of the Senedd, bringing them more in line with those for Members of Parliament at Westminster. It granted the Senedd Commission new responsibilities related to the Act's implementation.

Legislative history

The Bill was introduced to the Senedd by the Labour-led Welsh Government in September 2019. It underwent detailed scrutiny by several Senedd committees, including the Finance Committee and the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee. While supported by Plaid Cymru, it faced opposition from the Welsh Conservatives and some members of the Welsh Liberal Democrats over aspects like the voting age change. The Bill passed its final stage in the Senedd on 27 November 2019, receiving Royal Assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 15 January 2020, becoming the first Act to use the new bilingual title format of the reformed legislature.

Impact and implementation

The renaming provisions came into force on 6 May 2020, ahead of the scheduled 2021 Senedd election. The Electoral Commission and Local authorities in Wales undertook significant work to register the newly enfranchised 16- and 17-year-olds and eligible foreign nationals. The first major test of the reforms was the 2021 Senedd election, which saw these groups vote for the first time. The Act also necessitated updates to official documentation, the Senedd website, and signage, coordinated by the Senedd Commission. The changes solidified the Senedd's distinct identity within the United Kingdom.

Reactions and analysis

The Act was praised by organisations like the Electoral Reform Society and Children in Wales for broadening democratic participation. First Minister Mark Drakeford described it as "strengthening democracy in Wales." However, the Welsh Conservatives criticised the voting age change as politically motivated. Academics, including those from Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre, analysed its effect on bringing Wales into line with other nations like Scotland and Austria. Commentators noted it represented a significant step in the maturation of Welsh devolution, following the path of the Scottish Parliament.

Category:Acts of the Senedd Category:2020 in Welsh law Category:Elections in Wales Category:2020 in Welsh politics