Senedd (Welsh Parliament)

Senedd (Welsh Parliament)
Name	Senedd (Welsh Parliament)
Native name	Senedd Cymru
Legislature	Fifth Senedd
Foundation	1999
House type	Devolved legislature
Leader1 type	Llywydd
Leader1	Elin Jones
Members	60 Members of the Senedd
Meeting place	Senedd building, Cardiff Bay

Senedd (Welsh Parliament) is the devolved legislature of Wales established under the Government of Wales Act 1998 and expanded by the Government of Wales Act 2006 and the Wales Act 2017. It sits in Cardiff Bay and exercises legislative and fiscal powers in devolved areas transferred from the United Kingdom Parliament at Westminster. The institution has evolved through referendums including the Welsh devolution referendum, 1997 and the Welsh devolution referendum, 2011, and interacts with bodies such as the Welsh Government, Local government in Wales, and the UK Supreme Court.

History

The creation followed the Welsh devolution referendum, 1997 and the passing of the Government of Wales Act 1998, which established the National Assembly for Wales as a corporate body. The Richard Commission (2004) and the Government of Wales Act 2006 reformed the institution, separating executive functions and creating the post of First Minister, influenced by debates involving Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and members of Welsh Labour. The Yes for Wales campaign and political dynamics featuring Plaid Cymru, Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Liberal Democrats, and UK Independence Party shaped subsequent referendums. The Welsh devolution referendum, 2011 granted direct law-making powers in devolved areas, and the Wales Act 2017 provided fiscal devolution and renamed the body to its current title following legislation supported by Carwyn Jones and Mark Drakeford. The body’s development has intersected with constitutional litigation before the UK Supreme Court and intergovernmental arrangements with the UK Government and the Scottish Parliament.

Powers and functions

The institution exercises legislative competence in devolved subject areas originally outlined in the Government of Wales Act 2006 and expanded by the Wales Act 2017, covering matters such as health services administered by NHS Wales, elements of social services linked to Care and Support (Wales) policy, transport administered with local authorities like Cardiff Council, and planning affecting projects such as the M4 relief road. Financial powers include borrowing and taxation measures influenced by the Barnett formula and the adoption of devolved taxes comparable to the Scottish Land and Buildings Transaction Tax and the Scottish Land and Buildings Transaction Tax Act 2013 framework. The institution scrutinises the Welsh Government and holds inquiries that may involve public bodies including Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Revenue Authority, and Wales Audit Office.

Composition and membership

The legislature comprises 60 elected representatives known as Members of the Senedd. Political parties represented have included Welsh Labour, Plaid Cymru, Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK. Prominent members have included former First Ministers such as Rhodri Morgan, Carwyn Jones, and Mark Drakeford, and leaders like Leanne Wood and Andrew RT Davies. The Llywydd presides over proceedings, a role held by figures such as Dafydd Elis-Thomas and Elin Jones. Membership has also featured individuals who served in wider UK institutions including the House of Commons, House of Lords, and local authorities such as Swansea Council.

Electoral system

Members are elected through an Additional Member System combining first-past-the-post constituency seats and a regional closed-list component. Constituency boundaries follow patterns set by reviews linked to the Boundary Commission for Wales and parliamentary constituencies such as Cardiff Central and Gower. Regions correspond to areas like South Wales East and North Wales, and the system aims to balance representation akin to mechanisms used in the Scottish Parliament and the London Assembly. Debates about electoral reform have involved comparisons with the Single Transferable Vote used in Northern Ireland Assembly elections and proposals from commissions such as the Richard Commission.

Procedures and committees

Proceedings follow standing orders and question periods similar to practices in other legislatures including the House of Commons and the Scottish Parliament. The institution operates an array of committees—such as the Finance Committee, Legislation Committee, Equality and Social Justice Committee, and Environment and Sustainability Committee—that conduct inquiries and produce reports referenced by bodies like the Wales Audit Office and influenced by standards set by the Committee on Standards in Public Life. Committees summon witnesses from institutions including NHS Wales, Universities Wales, Natural Resources Wales, and Transport for Wales. Legislative processes include member bills, government bills, and delegated powers scrutinised with input from legal officers and the UK Parliament where reserved matters intersect.

Building and location

The legislature sits in the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay, designed by Richard Rogers in proximity to the Pierhead Building and the Wales Millennium Centre. The complex includes debating chambers, committee rooms, and public galleries with visitor facilities that host delegations from parliaments like the Scottish Parliament and the Nordic Council. Accessibility initiatives have involved partnerships with Cadw and local transport hubs such as Cardiff Central railway station and the Cardiff Bay regeneration projects.

Controversies and public perception

Public debate has involved questions raised by media outlets including the BBC, Western Mail, and WalesOnline regarding expenditure, broadcasting of proceedings, and the scope of devolution compared with Scotland and Northern Ireland. Controversies have included disputes over the M4 relief road, scrutiny of public appointments involving entities like Natural Resources Wales, and legal challenges taken to the UK Supreme Court over competence. Opinion polling by organisations such as YouGov and the Office for National Statistics has tracked fluctuating support for further devolution and attitudes toward parties including Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour.

Category:Politics of Wales