Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024

Section 19 - Review of operation of Act etc. after 2026 general election

79. Section 19 places a duty on the Presiding Officer to table a motion proposing that the Senedd establish a committee to review the operation and effect of Part 1 (“the Senedd and Welsh Ministers”) and Part 2 (“Voting System at Senedd General Elections and Allocation of Seats”) of this Act, as well as to review the extent to which the elements of a healthy democracy are present in Wales.

80. If the Senedd agrees a motion to establish a committee to conduct such a review, it is possible that the review may consider such issues as:

(i).)

the impacts of the new voting system on proportionality;

(ii).)

the introduction of multi-member constituencies;

(iii).)

the experience of using closed lists.

81. Ultimately it will be for the Senedd, in the terms of the motion it agrees (if it passes any such motion), and for the committee itself, to determine what it should consider in its review, and how that review should be conducted. In considering the impact of the new voting system, there are a range of matters and principles the committee could take into account, including the principles set down by the Expert Panel on Electoral Reform (such as proportionality, simplicity, and the extent to which the new system has delivered a Senedd that is reflective of the people of Wales).

82. It is possible that a committee established by the Senedd under section 19 may also wish to carry out an assessment of any other Senedd reform issues that it considers relevant, such as:

(i).)

the awareness and understanding of devolved Welsh government and elections;

(ii).)

an assessment of turnout levels and an exploration of proposals for how this may be increased;

(iii).)

support for members and parties to undertake their Senedd roles;

(iv).)

the infrastructure in place to support a strong Welsh democracy,

• but this will be a matter for the committee itself, subject to the terms of the motion that established it (and any other relevant motion).

83. The motion must be tabled as soon as practicable after the first meeting of the Senedd returned at a general election held after 6 April 2026, but in any event within 6 months of that meeting, and the motion must propose that the committee must complete its report within 12 months of said meeting.

84. If, in line with this section, the Senedd agrees a motion to establish such a committee, and undertake such a review, and if that committee then lays a report before the Senedd, then the Welsh Ministers are required to lay a statement before the Senedd which sets out their response to that report.