View source for Senedd

{{Short description|Devolved parliament of Wales}}
{{about|the devolved parliament of Wales|the building housing it|Senedd building}}
{{redirect|Welsh Assembly|the 1978 proposal|Welsh Assembly (Wales Act 1978)}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox legislature
 | background_color  =
 | name              = {{lang|cy|italic=unset|Senedd Cymru}}<br />Welsh Parliament
 | legislature       = [[Members of the 6th Senedd| 6th Senedd]]
 | coa_pic           = 
 | coa_res           = 
 | coa-pic           =
 | coa-res           =
 | logo_pic          = [[File:Senedd logo.svg|300px|class=skin-invert]]
 | logo_res          = 
 | logo_alt = 
 | logo_caption =
 | house_type        = Unicameral
 | new_session       = 6 May 2021
 | crown-in-parl     =       
 | leader1_type      = [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Monarch]]
 | leader1           = [[Charles III]]
 | election1         = 8 September 2022
 | leader2_type      = [[Llywydd|Presiding Officer]]
 | leader2           = [[Elin Jones]]
 | party2            = [[Plaid Cymru]]
 | election2         = 11 May 2016
 | leader3_type      = [[Llywydd of the Senedd#List of (Dirprwy Lywyddion)|Deputy Presiding Officer]]
 | leader3           = [[David Rees (politician)|David Rees]]
 | party3            = [[Welsh Labour|Labour]]
 | election3         = 12 May 2021
 | leader4_type      = [[First Minister of Wales|First Minister]]
 | leader4           = [[Eluned Morgan]]
 | party4            = [[Welsh Labour|Labour]]
 | election4         = 6 August 2024
 | leader5_type      = [[Trefnydd of the Senedd|Leader of the House]]
 | leader5           = [[Jane Hutt]]
 | party5            = [[Welsh Labour|Labour]]
 | election5         = 21 March 2024
 | leader6_type      = [[Leader of the Opposition in Wales|Leader of the Opposition]]
 | leader6           = [[Darren Millar]]
 | party6            = [[Welsh Conservatives|Conservative]]
 | election6         = 5 December 2024
 | leader7_type      = 
 | leader7           = 
 | party7            = 
 | election7         = April 2017
 | members           = 60{{Efn|To be expanded to 96 seats in 2026.}}
 | structure1        = Senedd_April_2025.svg
 | structure1_res    = 250px 
 | political_groups1 =
'''[[Eluned Morgan government|Government]] (30)'''
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Welsh Labour}}|border=silver}} [[Welsh Labour|Labour]]&nbsp;(30)}}{{efn|Includes 16 [[Labour and Co-operative]] MSs.}}

'''Opposition (30)'''
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Welsh Conservatives}}|border=silver}} [[Welsh Conservatives|Conservative]]&nbsp;(15)}}
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Plaid Cymru}}|border=silver}} [[Plaid Cymru]]&nbsp;(12)}}
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Welsh Liberal Democrats}}|border=silver}} [[Welsh Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrats]]&nbsp;(1)}}
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Independent}}|border=silver}} [[Independent politician|Independent]]&nbsp;(2)}}<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-63557063 | title=Plaid Cymru Senedd member Rhys ab Owen suspended from party group | work=BBC News | date=8 November 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=MS suspended from Welsh Conservatives over gambling offences |url=https://nation.cymru/news/ms-suspended-from-welsh-conservatives-over-gambling-offences/ |access-date=14 April 2025 |publisher=Nation.Cymru}}</ref>
 | voting_system1    = [[Additional-member system]] (until 2026)<br />[[Party-list proportional representation]] ([[closed list]]) (from 2026) <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.wales/historic-act-strengthens-democracy-in-wales | title=Historic Act strengthens democracy in Wales &#124; GOV.WALES | date=24 June 2024 }}</ref>
 | last_election1    = [[2021 Senedd election|6 May 2021]]
 | next_election1    = [[Next Senedd election|On or before 7 May 2026]]
 | session_room      = Y Siambr 2.jpg
 | session_res       = 250px
 | meeting_place     = Siambr in the [[Senedd building]], [[Cardiff]], [[Wales]]
 | website           = {{Official URL}}
 | session_room2     = Senedd, Welsh parliament, Cardiff Bay.jpg
 | session_res2      = 250px
 | session_alt2      = 
 | footnotes         =
 | foundation        = 12 May 1999
 | preceded_by       = [[Welsh Office]] (1965–1999)
}}
The '''Senedd''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ɛ|n|ɛ|ð|audio=Senedd.ogg}} {{respell|SEN|edh}}; {{literal translation|parliament|senate}}), officially known as the '''Welsh Parliament''' in [[English language|English]] and '''{{lang|cy|italic=unset|Senedd Cymru}}''' ({{IPA|cy|ˈsɛnɛð ˈkəmrɨ|}}) in [[Welsh language|Welsh]],<ref>{{Cite news|date=6 May 2020|title=Senedd Cymru and Welsh Parliament names become law|language=en-GB|website=senedd.wales|url=https://senedd.wales/senedd-now/news/senedd-cymru-and-welsh-parliament-names-become-law/|access-date=16 May 2021}}</ref> is the [[Devolution in the United Kingdom|devolved]], [[unicameral]] [[legislature]] of [[Wales]]. A democratically elected body, its role is to scrutinise the Welsh Government and legislate on devolved matters that are not reserved to the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]].<ref name="role">{{cite web|url=https://senedd.wales/en/abthome/role-of-assembly-how-it-works/what-is-the-role-of-the-assembly/Pages/what-is-the-role-of-the-assembly.aspx|title=What is the role of the Senedd?|access-date=13 May 2020|archive-date=8 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608233726/https://senedd.wales/en/abthome/role-of-assembly-how-it-works/what-is-the-role-of-the-assembly/Pages/what-is-the-role-of-the-assembly.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is a bilingual institution, with both Welsh and English being the official languages of its business.<ref>{{Cite legislation Wales|type=act|year=2012|chapter=1|title=National Assembly for Wales (Official Languages) Act 2012|number=1}}</ref> From its creation in May 1999 until May 2020, the Senedd was officially known as the '''National Assembly for Wales''' ({{lang|cy|Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru}}) and was often simply called the '''Welsh Assembly'''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Thompson |first=Rick |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u_fiOtsJL8UC&pg=PA69 |title=Writing for Broadcast Journalists |date=2004-11-25 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-36915-7 |page=69 |language=en |access-date=8 February 2024}}</ref>

The Senedd comprises 60 members who are known as [[Member of the Senedd|members of the Senedd]] ({{lang|cy|Aelodau o'r Senedd}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2020/1/part/2/enacted |title=Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 |publisher=Legislation.gov.uk |date=5 March 2020 |access-date=11 May 2020}}</ref> abbreviated as "MS" ({{langx|cy|AS|link=no}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://senedd.wales/laid%20documents/pri-ld12142-em-r/pri-ld12142-em-r-e.pdf |title=Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill |website=senedd.wales}}</ref> Since 2011, members are elected for a five-year [[term of office]] under an [[Additional-member system]], in which 40 MSs represent smaller geographical divisions known as [[Senedd constituencies and electoral regions|"constituencies"]] and are elected by [[first-past-the-post voting]], and 20 MSs represent [[Senedd constituencies and electoral regions|five "electoral regions"]] using the [[D'Hondt method]] of [[proportional representation]]. Typically, the largest party in the Senedd forms the Welsh Government.

A National Assembly for Wales was created by the [[Government of Wales Act 1998]], following the result of the [[1997 Welsh devolution referendum|1997 referendum]]. The Assembly initially had no powers to make [[primary legislation]]. Limited law-making powers were gained through the [[Government of Wales Act 2006]]. Its primary law-making powers were enhanced following a Yes vote in the [[2011 Welsh devolution referendum|referendum on 3 March 2011]], meaning that the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]] or the [[Secretary of State for Wales]] were no longer consulted when passing [[Act of Senedd Cymru|acts of the National Assembly for Wales]] related to the [[Devolved, reserved and excepted matters|20 devolved areas]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-12648649 | work=BBC News | title=Wales says Yes in referendum vote | date=4 March 2011}}</ref> These powers were further extended by the [[Wales Act 2014]] and [[Wales Act 2017]], with the latter moving the Assembly to a reserved powers model of devolution like that of the Scottish Parliament. In May 2020, the Assembly was renamed to "Senedd Cymru" or "the Welsh Parliament" when section 2 of the [[Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020]] came into force. The Senedd's powers in economic matters are significantly restricted by the [[United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020|UK Internal Market Act 2020]],{{refn|name=Restrict20}} a primary purpose of which is to constrain the capacity of the devolved institutions to use their regulatory autonomy.<ref name=DouHu22/> Matters devolved to the Senedd include health, education, economic development, transport, the environment, agriculture, local government and some taxes.

==History==
{{Politics of Wales}}
===Road to devolution===
{{main|Welsh devolution}}
Political movements supporting Welsh self-rule began in the late nineteenth century alongside a rise in [[Welsh nationalism]]. The [[Sunday Closing (Wales) Act 1881]] was the first legislation to acknowledge that Wales had a separate politico-legal character from England. The late 19th century saw the formation of a number of national institutions; a national and annual cultural event, the [[National Eisteddfod of Wales]] in 1861,<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC Wales - Eisteddfod - Guide - A brief history of the Eisteddfod|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/eisteddfod2008/sites/guide/history/pages/history_eisteddfod.shtml|access-date=2022-02-04|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> the [[Football Association of Wales]] in 1876,<ref>{{Cite web|title=FAW / Who are FAW?|url=http://www.faw.cymru/en/about-faw/who-are-faw/|access-date=2022-02-04|website=www.faw.cymru|language=en}}</ref> the [[Welsh Rugby Union]] in 1881<ref>{{Cite web|title=140 Years of the Welsh Rugby Union|url=https://www.wru.wales/article/140-years-of-the-welsh-rugby-union/|access-date=2022-02-04|website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions|language=en-GB}}</ref> and the [[University of Wales]] in 1893.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of the University of Wales - University of Wales|url=https://www.wales.ac.uk/en/AboutUs/Developments/History.aspx|access-date=2022-02-04|website=www.wales.ac.uk}}</ref>

In 1896, [[Education in Wales]] began to become distinct with the formation of the Central Welsh Board which inspected grammar schools in Wales and The [[Welsh Intermediate Education Act 1889]] was brought about to "make further provision for the intermediate and technical education of the inhabitants of Wales and the county of Monmouth.", making the board responsible for inspection of secondary schools.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-12 |title=The Welsh Intermediate Education Act, 1889 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/ee4a5728-7f96-3b9f-93ac-29300c2d6066 |access-date=2022-02-04 |website=BBC |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite book |url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C815 |title=Records of the Welsh Department and successors |date=1880–1983 |others=Board of Education, Board of Education, Welsh Department, Department of Education and Science, Education Office for Wales, Department of Education and Science, Welsh Education Office, Education Department, Ministry of Education, Welsh Department |language=English}}</ref> In 1907, the Welsh department of the [[Board of education|Board of Education]] was formed and in the same year, a Welsh Inspectorate was established for inspection of primary and secondary schools in Wales.<ref name=":0" />

The early 20th century also saw the continued formation of a number of Welsh national institutions; the [[National Library of Wales]] in 1911,<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of the Building {{!}} The National Library of Wales|url=https://www.library.wales/librarybuilding/historyofthebuilding|access-date=2022-02-04|website=www.library.wales}}</ref> the [[Welsh Guards]] in 1915<ref>{{Cite web|title=Welsh Guards|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/welsh-guards/|access-date=2022-02-04|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}</ref> and the Welsh Board of Health in 1919.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C923|title=Records of the Welsh Board of Health|date=1919–1969|others=Welsh Board of Health|language=English}}</ref> The [[Church in Wales]] came into existence in 1920 following the disestablishment of the [[Church of England]] via the [[Welsh Church Act 1914]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo5/4-5/91|title=Welsh Church Act 1914}}</ref>

An appointed [[Council for Wales and Monmouthshire]] was established in 1949 to "ensure the government is adequately informed of the impact of government activities on the general life of the people of Wales". The council had 27 members nominated by local authorities in Wales, the [[University of Wales]], [[National Eisteddfod of Wales|National Eisteddfod Council]] and the [[Welsh Tourist Board]]. A post of Minister of Welsh Affairs was created in 1951 and the post of [[Secretary of State for Wales]] and the [[Welsh Office]] were established in 1964 leading to the abolition of the Council for Wales. The establishment of the Welsh Office effectively created the basis for the territorial governance of Wales.<ref>''[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/nation/pages/new_nation01.shtml The road to the Welsh Assembly]'' from BBC [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/ Wales History] website. Retrieved 23 August 2006.</ref> The [[Royal Commission on the Constitution (United Kingdom)|Royal Commission on the Constitution]] (the Kilbrandon Commission) was set up in 1969 by [[Harold Wilson]]'s Labour Government to investigate the possibility of devolution for Scotland and Wales.<ref name="devolution">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Devolution in the UK |url=http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/ukdev.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040626074959/http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/ukdev.htm |archive-date=26 June 2004 |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=[[Department for Constitutional Affairs]] |language=en}}</ref> Its recommendations formed the basis of the 1974 [[White paper]] ''Democracy and Devolution: proposals for Scotland and Wales'',<ref name="devolution" /> which proposed the creation of a [[Welsh Assembly (Wales Act 1978)|Welsh Assembly]]. However, Welsh voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposals in a [[1979 Welsh devolution referendum|referendum held in 1979]].<ref name="devolution" /><ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/devolution/wales/briefing/79referendums.shtml The 1979 Referendums]: BBC website. Retrieved 9 July 2006.</ref>

Following the [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997 general election]], the new Labour Government argued that an Assembly would be more democratically accountable than the [[Welsh Office]]. For eleven years prior to 1997 Wales had been represented in the [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom]] by a [[Secretary of State for Wales|Secretary of State]] who did not represent a Welsh constituency at [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Westminster]].<ref>[http://www.comisiwnrichard.gov.uk/content/template.asp?ID=/content/evidence/oral/wlga/index-w.asp Evidence to Richards Commission] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928162655/http://www.comisiwnrichard.gov.uk/content/template.asp?ID=%2Fcontent%2Fevidence%2Foral%2Fwlga%2Findex-w.asp |date=28 September 2007}} of Cllr Russell Goodway. 10 July 2003. Retrieved 9 July 2006.</ref> A [[1997 Welsh devolution referendum|referendum was held]] in Wales on 18 September 1997 in which voters approved the creation of the National Assembly for Wales with a total of 559,419 votes, or 50.3% of the vote.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/analysis/rozenberg2.shtml Politics 97] by Joshua Rozenberg: BBC website. Retrieved 9 July 2006.</ref>

The following year the [[Government of Wales Act 1998|Government of Wales Act]] was passed by the [[United Kingdom parliament]], establishing the Assembly. On 1 July 1999 the powers of the Secretary of State for Wales were transferred to the Assembly and the Welsh Office ceased to exist.<ref>{{citation |title=Key Events in the Development of the National Assembly for Wales: First Assembly, 1999–2003 |url=https://senedd.wales/NAfW%20Documents/ke-1997-2003.pdf%20-%2023052011/ke-1997-2003-English.pdf |page=15 |publisher=National Assembly for Wales |access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref>

In July 2002, the [[Welsh Government]] established an [[Richard Commission|independent commission]], with [[Ivor Richard|Lord Richard]] (former leader of the [[House of Lords]]) as chair, to review the powers and electoral arrangements of the National Assembly to ensure that it is able to operate in the best interests of the people of Wales.<ref name="richardspage">''[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100410160947/http://www.richardcommission.gov.uk/content/template.asp?ID=/index.asp The Richard Commission]''. Archived Richard Commission Website, includes copy of Commission report. Archived 10 April 2010.</ref> The Richard Commission reported in March 2004. It recommended that the National Assembly should have powers to legislate in certain areas, whilst others would remain the preserve of Westminster.<ref name="richardspage" /> It also recommended changing the electoral system to the [[single transferable vote]] (STV) which would produce greater [[proportional representation|proportionality]].<ref name="richardspage" />

In response, the British government, in its ''Better Governance for Wales'' White Paper, published on 15 June 2005, proposed a more permissive law-making system for the Welsh Assembly based on the use of Parliamentary Orders in Council.<ref>''[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20060213211049/http://www.walesoffice.gov.uk/2005/better_governance_for_wales_report.pdf Better Governance for Wales White Paper, Archived February 2006]''. Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Wales in June 2005. Downloadable PDF. Retrieved 9 December 2005.</ref><ref>''[http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/topstories/wales.htm Electoral Reform for Wales] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041208073417/http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/topstories/wales.htm |date=8 December 2004 }}''. Electoral Reform Society response to rejection of Richard Commission recommendations. Retrieved 9 December 2005.</ref> In so doing, the Government rejected many of the cross party Richard Commission's recommendations. This has attracted criticism from opposition parties and others.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

===Enhanced powers: The Government of Wales Act 2006===
{{main|Government of Wales Act 2006}}
The [[Government of Wales Act 2006]] received [[Royal assent]] on 25 July 2006. It conferred on the Assembly legislative powers similar to other [[devolution|devolved]] legislatures through the ability to pass [[Measure of the National Assembly for Wales|Assembly Measures]] concerning matters that are devolved. Requests for further legislative powers made through [[Legislative Competence Order|legislative competence]] requests were subject to the veto of the [[Secretary of State for Wales]], [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] or [[House of Lords]].

The Act reformed the assembly to a parliamentary-type structure, establishing the [[Welsh Government]] as an entity separate from, but accountable to the National Assembly. It enables the Assembly to legislate within its devolved fields.

The Act also reforms the Assembly's electoral system. It prevents individuals from standing as candidates in both constituency and regional seats. This aspect of the act was subject to a great deal of criticism{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}, most notably from the [[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|Electoral Commission]].{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}, although it was supported in the Richard Commission<ref name="richardspage" />

The Act was heavily criticised{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}. [[Plaid Cymru]], the Official Opposition in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2007, attacked it{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}} for not delivering a fully-fledged parliament. Many commentators{{who|date=May 2020}} have also criticised the Labour Party's allegedly partisan attempt to alter the electoral system. By preventing regional Members from standing in constituency seats the party has been accused{{by whom|date=May 2020}} of changing the rules to protect constituency representatives. Labour had 29 members in the Assembly at the time, all of whom held constituency seats.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

The changes to the Assembly's powers were commenced on 4 May 2007, after the [[2007 National Assembly for Wales election|election]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/5211918.stm Assembly powers bill becomes law]: ''BBC News''. 25 July 2006. Retrieved 15 September 2006.</ref>

Following a [[2011 Welsh devolution referendum|referendum on 3 March 2011]], the Welsh Assembly gained direct law making powers, without the need to consult Westminster.

===Reserved powers model: The Wales Act 2017===
{{main|Wales Act 2017}}

The [[Cameron–Clegg coalition|Conservative-Liberal coalition government]] created the [[Commission on Devolution in Wales]] (also known as Silk Commission), composed of members nominated by the 4 parties represented in the Welsh Assembly and several leading legal and political experts, to "create a lasting devolution settlement for Wales". Following the first set of recommendations by the Commission, the UK government announced in November 2013 that some borrowing powers are to be devolved to the Assembly along with control of landfill tax and stamp duty. Additionally the [[Wales Act 2014]] provides for a referendum to be held on the Assembly's ability to set a degree of [[income tax]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-24763988|title=Wales offered tax raising powers|date=1 November 2013|work=BBC News}}</ref> though there is a proposal for the requirement for a referendum to be removed.

Both the UK and Welsh governments supported the Silk Commission (Part 2) proposal to move to a "[[Devolved, reserved and excepted matters|reserved powers]]" model of devolution (similar to that of the [[Scottish Parliament]] and the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]]) where the UK government would have specific "reserved" powers and the Welsh Assembly would have control of all other matters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/welsh-affairs/SOS-draft-Wales-Bill-Govt-response.pdf|title=Government Response to the Welsh Affairs Committee Report on Pre-legislation Scrutiny of the Wales Bill|last=Wales Office (UK Government)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gov.wales/about/organisationexplained/devolution/?lang=en|title=Draft Government and Laws Bill in Wales|last=Welsh Government|date=26 May 2016 }}</ref> This replaced the previous model where certain powers were "conferred" and all others were assumed to be powers of the UK national government. Since the passing of the [[Wales Act 2017]], the power model in Wales has been in line with that of Scotland, being a reserved matter model.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/4/contents/enacted |title=Wales Act 2017 |website=legislation.gov.uk }}</ref>

The [[Wales Act 2017]], based on the second set of recommendations of the Silk Commission, proposed devolving further areas of government, including some relating to water, marine affairs (ports, harbours, conservation), energy (subsidies, petroleum extraction, construction of smaller energy-generating facilities, etc.), rail franchising and road travel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2016-2017/0005/17005.pdf|title=Wales Bill 2016}}</ref>

===Name change===
In July 2016, Assembly members unanimously agreed that the name of the Assembly should reflect its constitutional status as a national parliament.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill |url=https://seneddresearch.blog/2019/03/05/the-senedd-and-elections-wales-bill/ |date=5 March 2019 |publisher=Senedd Cymru |language=en-GB |access-date=27 May 2020 }}</ref> The [[Senedd Commission|Assembly Commission]] ran a public consultation on the proposal, which showed that 61% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the Assembly should change its name.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Assembly to be renamed Welsh Parliament under new law |url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/update/2017-06-13/welsh-assembly-name-to-be-renamed-welsh-parliament-under-new-law/ |date=13 June 2017 |publisher=[[ITV News]] |language=en |access-date=27 May 2020 }}</ref> In 2018, the commission announced its intention to introduce legislation to change the name of the Assembly. Later that year, the {{lang|cy|[[Llywydd of the Senedd|Llywydd]]}} – the Assembly's presiding officer – wrote to all Assembly Members explaining that the name change proposed in the Bill would be the monolingual name Senedd.<ref>{{cite web |title=Letter from the Llywydd to all Assembly Members |url=https://senedd.wales/en/abthome/role-of-assembly-how-it-works/Documents/Members%20Letter%20en%2012112018.pdf |last=Jones |first=Elin |date=2018 |publisher=Senedd Cymru |access-date=27 May 2020 |archive-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804060205/https://senedd.wales/en/abthome/role-of-assembly-how-it-works/Documents/Members%20Letter%20en%2012112018.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2019, the [[Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020|Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill]], favouring the name Senedd, was introduced on behalf of the Assembly Commission. Following support of a subsequent amendment to the Bill which favoured a bilingual name for the institution, the Bill was passed by the Assembly on 27 November 2019 and was given Royal Assent on 15 January 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ifan |first=Mared |date=30 September 2019 |title=National Assembly set for new bilingual name |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News Online]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-49887160 |access-date=27 May 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wrexham.com/news/historic-act-enables-voting-for-16-and-17-year-olds-renames-assembly-to-welsh-parliament-179517.html |title=Historic Act enables voting for 16 and 17-year olds – renames Assembly to "Welsh Parliament" |date=16 January 2020 |website=Wrexham.com }}</ref> The Act changed the name of the Assembly to {{lang|cy|Senedd Cymru}} or the ''Welsh Parliament''. Its guidance states that the institution will be commonly known as the Senedd in both languages. The name change came into effect on 6 May 2020. Members of the renamed body are known as Members of the Senedd (MS), or {{lang|cy|Aelodau o'r Senedd}} (AS) in Welsh.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.assembly.wales/en/abthome/about_us-commission_assembly_administration/namechange/Pages/NameChangeConsultation.aspx |title=Name Change Consultation |publisher=assembly.wales |access-date=7 August 2017 |archive-date=6 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106163736/http://www.assembly.wales/en/abthome/about_us-commission_assembly_administration/namechange/Pages/NameChangeConsultation.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-47212492 |title=Votes at 16 plan for 2021 Senedd election |work=[[BBC News Online]] |date=12 February 2019 |access-date=15 May 2019 }}</ref>

===Constraints on powers: UK Internal Market Act 2020===
As part of the process of leaving the European Union, the Conservative Party in power in Westminster passed the [[United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020]]. This legislation aims to prevent internal trade barriers within the UK, and to restrict the exercise of legislative powers of the devolved administrations in economic areas.{{refn|name=Restrict20|<ref name=DouganMcEwen20>{{cite report |last1=Dougan |first1=Michael |last2=Hayward |first2=Katy |last3=Hunt |first3=Jo |last4=McEwen |first4=Nicola |last5=McHarg |first5=Aileen |last6=Wincott |first6=Daniel |date=2020 |title=UK and the Internal Market, Devolution and the Union |url=https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/publications/uk-and-internal-market-devolution-and-union |department=Centre on Constitutional Change|author-link1=Michael Dougan|author-link2=Katy Hayward|author-link4=Nicola McEwen|author-link6=Daniel Wincott|publisher=[[University of Edinburgh]]; [[University of Aberdeen]] |pages=2–3 |access-date=16 October 2020}}</ref><ref name=DougEvi20>{{cite report |last=Dougan |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Dougan |title=Professor Michael Dougan: Evidence on the UK internal market bill |department=Finance and Constitution Committee |date=23 September 2020 |url=https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=12840 |publisher=[[Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body]] |id=21st Meeting 2020, Session 5 |location=Edinburgh |quote=By imposing widespread obligations of non-discrimination and, more important, mutual recognition, the bill seeks to restrict the way that devolved competences operate in practice. |access-date=15 October 2020}}</ref><ref name=Keating21>{{cite journal |last=Keating |first=Michael |title=Taking back control? Brexit and the territorial constitution of the United Kingdom|author-link=Michael Keating (political scientist)|journal=[[Journal of European Public Policy]]|publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]]|location=Abingdon|date=2 February 2021 |volume=29|issue=4|pages=491–509|doi=10.1080/13501763.2021.1876156|hdl=1814/70296|doi-access=free|hdl-access=free|quote=The UK Internal Market Act gives ministers sweeping powers to enforce mutual recognition and non-discrimination across the four jurisdictions. Existing differences and some social and health matters are exempted but these are much less extensive than the exemptions permitted under the EU Internal Market provisions. Only after an amendment in the House of Lords, the Bill was amended to provide a weak and non-binding consent mechanism for amendments (equivalent to the Sewel Convention) to the list of exemptions. The result is that, while the devolved governments retain regulatory competences, these are undermined by the fact that goods and services originating in, or imported into, England can be marketed anywhere.}}</ref><ref name=MaMu22>{{cite book |last1=Masterman |first1=Roger |last2=Murray |first2=Colin |title=Constitutional and Administrative Law |date=2022 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |location=Cambridge |isbn=9781009158503 |pages=471–473|edition=Third|chapter=The United Kingdom's Devolution Arrangements|quote=UK Internal Market Act 2020 imposed new restrictions on the ability of the devolved institutions to enact measures...mutual recognition and non-discrimination requirements mean that standards set by the legislatures in Wales and Scotland cannot restrict the sale of goods which are acceptable in other parts of the UK. In other words, imposing such measures would simply create competitive disadvantages for businesses in Wales and Scotland; they would not change the product standards or environmental protections applicable to all goods which can be purchased in Wales and Scotland.|doi=10.1017/9781009158497|s2cid=248929397 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/highereducation/books/constitutional-and-administrative-law/E1EB9FEDC43459C991E42BD945231DB5}}</ref><ref name=KenMcEw21>{{cite journal |last1=Kenny |first1=Michael |author-link1=Michael Kenny (political scientist)|last2=McEwen |first2=Nicola|author-link2=Nicola McEwen|title=Intergovernmental Relations and the Crisis of the Union|doi-access=free|location=London|publisher=[[SAGE Publishing]]; [[Political Studies Association]]|journal=Political Insight|date=1 March 2021 |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=12–15 |doi=10.1177/20419058211000996|s2cid=232050477 |quote=That phase of joint working was significantly damaged by the UK Internal Market Act, pushed through by the Johnson government in December 2020...the Act diminishes the authority of the devolved institutions, and was vehemently opposed by them.}}</ref><ref name=WolffeDevol>{{cite journal |last1=Wolffe |first1=W James |title=Devolution and the Statute Book|journal=[[Statute Law Review]] |date=7 April 2021 |doi=10.1093/slr/hmab003 |author-link=James Wolffe|location=Oxford|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|url=https://academic.oup.com/slr/advance-article/doi/10.1093/slr/hmab003/6213886|volume=42|issue=2|pages=121–136|access-date=18 April 2021|quote=the Internal Market Bill—a Bill that contains provisions which, if enacted, would significantly constrain, both legally and as a matter of practicality, the exercise by the devolved legislatures of their legislative competence; provisions that would be significantly more restrictive of the powers of the Scottish Parliament than either EU law or Articles 4 and 6 of the Acts of the Union...The UK Parliament passed the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 and the Internal Market Act 2020 notwithstanding that, in each case, all three of the devolved legislatures had withheld consent.|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Wincott21>{{cite journal |last1=Wincott |first1=Daniel |last2=Murray |first2=C. R. G. |last3=Davies |first3=Gregory |title=The Anglo-British imaginary and the rebuilding of the UK's territorial constitution after Brexit: unitary state or union state?|volume=10|issue=5|journal=Territory, Politics, Governance|author-link1=Daniel Wincott|location=Abingdon/Brighton|publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]]; [[Regional Studies Association]]|date=17 May 2021|pages=696–713|doi-access=free|quote=Taken as a whole, the Internal Market Act imposes greater restrictions upon the competences of the devolved institutions than the provisions of the EU Single Market which it replaced, in spite of pledges to use common frameworks to address these issues. [[David Hope, Baron Hope of Craighead|Lord Hope]], responsible for many of the leading judgments relating to the first two decades of devolution, regarded the legislation's terms as deliberately confrontational: 'this Parliament can do what it likes, but a different approach is essential if the union is to hold together'.|doi=10.1080/21622671.2021.1921613}}</ref><ref name=DouHu22>{{cite journal |last1=Dougan |first1=Michael |last2=Hunt |first2=Jo |last3=McEwen |first3=Nicola |last4=McHarg |first4=Aileen|author-link1=Michael Dougan|author-link3=Nicola McEwen|title=Sleeping with an Elephant: Devolution and the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 |journal=[[Law Quarterly Review]] |date=2022|volume=138|issue=Oct|pages=650–676 |url=https://dro.dur.ac.uk/35167/|location=London|publisher=[[Sweet & Maxwell]]|ssrn=4018581|via=[[Durham University|Durham Research Online]]|access-date=4 March 2022|quote=The Act has restrictive – and potentially damaging – consequences for the regulatory capacity of the devolved legislatures...This was not the first time since the Brexit referendum that the Convention had been set aside, but it was especially notable given that the primary purpose of the legislation was to constrain the capacity of the devolved institutions to use their regulatory autonomy...in practice, it constrains the ability of the devolved institutions to make effective regulatory choices for their territories in ways that do not apply to the choices made by the UK government and parliament for the English market.|issn=0023-933X}}</ref><ref name=Hor22>{{cite journal |last1=Horsley |first1=Thomas |title=Constitutional Reform by Legal Transplantation: The United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 |journal=[[Oxford Journal of Legal Studies]] |date=2022 |volume=42 |issue=4 |pages=1143–1169 |doi=10.1093/ojls/gqac018|doi-access=free|location=Oxford|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|pmid=36518972 |pmc=9732217 |quote=The market access principles may not preclude the devolved administrations from legislating in the same way that, for example, the Devolution Acts make it unlawful (ultra vires) for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd and Northern Ireland Assembly to enact legislation [that] is contrary to Convention rights. Nonetheless, their prospective application under the UKIMA imposes significant practical limits on their political autonomy in areas of devolved competence—limits that the dominance of the far larger English market further reinforce.}}</ref><ref name=Arm22>{{cite journal |last1=Armstrong |first1=Kenneth A. |title=The Governance of Economic Unionism after the United Kingdom Internal Market Act |journal=[[Modern Law Review]] |date=May 2022 |volume=85 |issue=3 |pages=635–660 |doi=10.1111/1468-2230.12706|doi-access=free|location=Oxford|publisher=[[Wiley (publisher)|Wiley]]|quote=So when used to disapply relevant requirements in a destination devolved jurisdiction the effect is different from that generated by the devolution statutes when they treat rules that are outside of competence as being ‘not law’. In this way, the legislative competence of each jurisdiction is formally maintained, but its exercise constrained by the extraterritorial reach of regulatory norms applicable elsewhere in the UK and by the potential for regulatory competition where local producers are subject to local rules but competing goods can enter that market in compliance with the regulatory standards from where they originate}}</ref><ref name=LydgateEvi20>{{cite report |last=Lydgate |first=Emily|title=Dr Emily Lydgate, University of Sussex: Evidence on the UK internal market bill |department=Finance and Constitution Committee |date=23 September 2020 |url=https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=12840 |publisher=[[Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body]] |id=21st Meeting 2020, Session 5 |location=Edinburgh |quote=In that context, even though the new powers might not be used, I expect that the UK Government wants the legislation to be in place before those statutory instruments come into force, in case the common frameworks fall apart. What we are seeing is the UK Government responding to a threat by trying to centralise power or create a system that will function in case there is a problem...For example, England might authorise a new active substance for pesticides, or a new GMO, and would then be able to freely export those products to devolved nations, even if they had controls domestically. In so doing, England could competitively undercut producers and in effect undermine permitted divergence.|access-date=15 October 2020}}</ref>}} It has several effects on the constitutional arrangements regarding devolved legislative powers. Principal amongst these is the effect that the market access principles will have on the practical ability of the devolved administrations to regulate economic activity.<ref name=Wincott21/><ref name=LydgateEvi20/> It also expressly reserves the regulation of distortive or harmful subsidies to the UK Government, and gives them spending powers in numerous policymaking areas.<ref name=DouganMcEwen20/><ref name=Wincott21/>

These powers undermine the authority of the Senedd to determine infrastructure priorities within its jurisdiction. The principles undermine devolved competences in two ways. These relate to its status as a protected enactment, and to the disproportionate market size and power of the economy under English jurisdiction.<ref name=DouganMcEwen20/> Because the Senedd will be unable to disapply the market access principles, if they attempt to introduce new or stricter regulatory standards, they will only apply to goods produced within the devolved jurisdiction. This means that these standards will have little or no practical effect other than to disadvantage their own economy, severely restricting their ability to introduce regulatory divergence, or pursue different economic or social choices to those made in Westminster.<ref name=Wincott21/><ref name=LydgateEvi20/>

===Expansion===
{{main|Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024}}
On 22 November 2021, [[2021 Welsh Labour–Plaid Cymru agreement|Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru agreed a co-operation deal]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/welsh-labour-plaid-cymru-approve-co-operation-deal-1312322|title=Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru approve co-operation deal|date=21 November 2021|last=Alibhai|first=Zaina|website=[[i (British newspaper)|i]]|access-date=23 November 2021|language=en}}</ref> that will see the implementation of 46 policies that the two parties share.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/19732552.labour-plaid-cymru-agree-welsh-government-co-operation-deal/|title=Labour and Plaid Cymru agree Welsh government co-operation deal|last=Webster|first=Laura|date=22 November 2021|website=[[The National (Scotland)|The National]]|access-date=23 November 2021|language=en}}</ref> One of these is the expansion of the Senedd from 60 Members to between 80 and 100 Members.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/free-school-meals-primary-school-22236702|last=Mosalski|first=Ruth|title=Welsh Government wants to give free school meals to all primary school pupils|date=22 November 2021|work=Western Mail|access-date=23 November 2021|language=en}}</ref>

At its Conference on 12 March 2022, Welsh Labour unanimously approved increasing the size of the Senedd. "The expansion of the Senedd is essential because the journey of devolution is not yet complete", former First Minister [[Alun Michael]] said. "There is more to come. And the capacity needs to be there for those backbenchers to do the job of holding to account that you rightly said, cannot be done by to smaller number of representatives."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nation.cymru/news/welsh-labour-back-increasing-the-size-of-the-senedd-at-party-conference/ |title=Welsh Labour back increasing the size of the Senedd at party conference |work=Nation.Cymru |date=12 March 2022 |accessdate=16 March 2022}}</ref> Two weeks later, Plaid members backed the expansion proposal as well.<ref>{{cite news |last=Masters |first=Adrian |date=26 March 2022 |title=Plaid Cymru members back Senedd expansion at party conference vote |url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2022-03-26/plaid-cymru-members-set-to-back-moves-to-create-more-senedd-members |access-date=29 March 2022 |website=ITV News |language=en}}</ref>

On 10 May 2022, plans to increase the number of MSs from 60 to 96 were unveiled, as well as the scrapping of [[first past the post]], which is currently used to elect 40 of the 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs). Drakeford said these changes were required as "report after report" had demonstrated that the Senedd in its current form "cannot do the job in the way that people in Wales have a right to expect it to be done".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-61392204|title=Senedd: Plans for 96 politicians agreed by Labour and Plaid|last=Deans|first=David|date=10 May 2022|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=11 May 2022}}</ref> Welsh Lib Dem leader [[Jane Dodds]] criticised these plans, claiming that they would disproportionately impact smaller parties.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-61406888|title=Senedd reform: Plans for more politicians 'could freeze out Lib Dems'|last=Deans|first=David|date=11 May 2022|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=11 May 2022}}</ref>

On 8 June 2022, the Senedd voted 40–14 in favour of expanding the number of MSs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/live-updates-mss-set-vote-24176402 | title=Senedd set to increase to 96 members as politicians back reform | date=8 June 2022 }}</ref>

In 2023, the reform bill committee heard reforms included taking 32 new constituencies created that will be used in the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]] and pairing them to create 16 Senedd constituencies – with each returning six members in [[multi-member district]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-10 |title=Plans to reform Senedd elections 'a step back' |url=https://www.abergavennychronicle.com/news/politics/plans-to-reform-senedd-elections-a-step-back-649335 |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Abergavenny Chronicle}}</ref> Opposition to the proposed [[closed list]] voting system was expressed by some Labour<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-30 |title=Wales' voting changes will confuse people - Labour politician |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-68130660 |access-date=2024-02-09 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> and Plaid Cymru<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-02-03 |title=New Wales political system poses great danger - Wigley |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-68187286 |access-date=2024-02-04 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> representatives, while opposition to the overall expansion of the Senedd was expressed by some Labour representatives<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Rory |date=2023-10-29 |title=Labour councillors oppose Senedd expansion |url=https://www.herald.wales/north-wales/flintshire/labour-councillors-oppose-senedd-expansion/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Herald.Wales |language=en-GB}}</ref> and the Conservatives.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Steven |date=2023-09-18 |title='Historic' plans to expand Senedd draw Conservatives' ire |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/18/wales-historic-plans-to-expand-senedd-draw-conservatives-ire |access-date=2024-02-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==Buildings==
[[File:Senedd, Welsh parliament, Cardiff Bay.jpg|thumb|The [[Senedd building]]]]

===Senedd building===
{{Main|Senedd building}}

The [[debating chamber]] in [[Cardiff Bay]], the ''[[Senedd building|Senedd]]'' (''Senate''), was designed by the [[Richard Rogers Partnership]], and built by [[Taylor Woodrow]], with environmental, mechanical, electrical and plumbing design by BDSP Partnership. It uses traditional Welsh materials, such as slate and [[Welsh oak (tree)|Welsh oak]], in its construction, and the design is based around the concepts of openness and transparency. The timber ceiling and centre funnel, manufactured and installed by BCL Timber Projects (sub-contracted by Taylor Woodrow) is made from Canadian sourced Western Red Cedar.

{{Multiple image|direction=horizontal|header=The Senedd building|total_width = 400px|align=left| header_align = center|image1= Senedd Cymru sign at the Senedd building.jpg |image2=Three Maps of Wales (constituencies).jpg|thumb|caption1=Logo of the Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament on the outside of the building|caption2=In the reception area, maps of the boundaries of the five electoral regions that elect 20 seats ''(left)'', and the constituencies that elect 40 seats ''(right)''}}
 
The Senedd houses the debating chamber known as the Siambr ({{langx|cy|Y Siambr}})<ref>{{cite web |title=Plenary |url=https://senedd.wales/senedd-business/plenary/ |publisher=Senedd Cymru |access-date=13 June 2021}}</ref> and Committee Rooms. It was officially opened by Queen [[Elizabeth II]] on [[Saint David's Day]], 1 March 2006.<ref name="opening">[http://www.publicinformation.wales.gov.uk/scripts/viewnews.asp?NewsID=581 The New National Assembly for Wales Senedd opened on St David's Day] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311002727/http://www.publicinformation.wales.gov.uk/scripts/viewnews.asp?NewsID=581 |date=11 March 2007 }} National Assembly for Wales, Public Information page. Retrieved 4 May 2006</ref>

The Senedd is designed to be environmentally friendly: it uses an Earth Heat Exchange system for heating; rainwater is collected from the roof and used for flushing toilets and cleaning windows, and the roof features a wind cowl which funnels natural light and air into the debating chamber below.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urban75.org/photos/wales/welsh-assembly-senedd.html |title=National Assembly for Wales – the Senedd, Cardiff Bay, docks and Tiger Bay, Cardiff, south Wales |publisher=Urban75.org |access-date=21 May 2011}}</ref>

=== Telecasting <span class="anchor" id="Senedd on television"></span>===
[[File:Senedd tv website 2022.png|thumb|Screenshot of the front page of '''senedd.tv''' in 2022]]

The building houses the debating chamber and committee rooms for the Senedd. When the Senedd building opened on 1 March 2006, there was regular screening of live proceedings from the Siambr on [[S4C2]] and also on [[internet television]].<ref name="Television">{{cite web | url= http://www.assemblywales.org/abthome/abt-nafw/equalities/equality-scheme-home-page/equality-scheme-access-buildings-information-and-proceedings_.htm| title= Access to our Information, Proceedings and Buildings | publisher= [[National Assembly for Wales]]|access-date=7 June 2009}}</ref> Coverage of the S4C2 screenings were on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9:00&nbsp;am 6:00&nbsp;pm when the Senedd was sitting.<ref name="Internet">{{cite web | url= http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=15961| title= Web TV will stream proceedings National Assembly for Wales to help e-democracy| publisher= Public Technology Ltd |access-date=7 June 2009}}</ref> In addition, limited screens were shown on the [[BBC Two|BBC Two Wales]] programme ''"am.pm"'', including [[First Minister of Wales|First Minister]]'s Questions.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web | url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006p2y2| title= am.pm| publisher= BBC |access-date=7 June 2009}}</ref> These were decommissioned after S4C2 switched its scheduling to children programs and because of budget cuts.<ref name="S4CJan142">{{cite press release|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=14 January 2011|title=S4C terminates second channel|url=http://www.s4c.cymru/e_press_level2.shtml?id=451|url-status=live|publisher=S4C|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530053513/http://www.s4c.cymru/e_press_level2.shtml?id=451|archive-date=30 May 2015|access-date=3 May 2015}}</ref> Internet television screenings are now shown on the Senedd's own website called Senedd.tv, which screens approximately 35 hours of content each week in [[English language|English]] and [[Welsh language|Welsh]]. The service began 15 April 2008.<ref name="Assembly">{{cite web | url=http://www.assemblywales.org/newhome/new-news-third-assembly.htm?act=dis&id=81543&ds=5/2008| title= Assembly to launch enhanced E-democracy services| publisher= [[National Assembly for Wales]]|access-date=7 June 2009}}</ref> Key events such as First Minister's Questions are shown live and recorded on [[BBC Parliament]] on television and on [[iPlayer]]. Also on BBC Parliament some proceedings are shown as highlights of the week on the programme The Week in Parliament.

In October 2023, [[GB News]] was banned from the Senedd's internal TV system, with a spokesperson for the presiding officer claiming the channel was "deliberately offensive, demeaning to public debate and contrary to our parliament's values".<ref>{{cite web |title=GB News banned from Welsh parliament TV systems over 'deliberately offensive' broadcast |url=https://news.sky.com/story/gb-news-banned-from-welsh-parliament-tv-systems-over-deliberately-offensive-broadcast-12986407 |website=[[Sky News]] |access-date=17 October 2023}}</ref>

===Tŷ Hywel and Pierhead Building===
{{multiple image
<!-- | header = Part of the Senedd estate in Cardiff Bay
| header_align = center -->
| caption_align = center
| total_width = 400
| align = left 
| image1 = National Assembly for Wales.jpg
| alt1 = Red brick modern six-floor building
| caption1 = Tŷ Hywel
| image2 = Pierhead building-Cardiff Bay.jpg
| alt2 = Victorian red brick building with clock tower to the right
| caption2 = The Pierhead Building
}}
{{Main|Tŷ Hywel|Pierhead Building}}

Between 1999 and 2006, a temporary debating chamber was initially based in [[Tŷ Hywel]], next to the site of the present building. The offices of Members are still in this building which is connected to the Senedd by a [[skyway]]. Tŷ Hywel once again hosts plenary sessions of the Senedd between April 2025 and March 2026 whilst the debating chamber in the Senedd building undergoes refurbishment to increase its capacity in the lead up to the [[next Senedd election]] where the number of members returned is to rise to 96.

The [[Senedd Commission]] is also responsible for the [[Pierhead Building]], which is the location of "The Assembly at the Pierhead" exhibition, and is the Visitor and Education Centre for the Senedd as well as housing a small gift shop. The exhibition provides visitors with information on the history, functions and day-to-day work of the Senedd.

{{-}}

===North Wales Office===
[[File:Welsh Assembly Government (N Wales).jpg|thumb|Senedd North Wales Office]]

The Senedd North Wales Office is located at Government Buildings, [[Llandudno Junction]]. The office is open to the public to access information about the Senedd on weekdays between 10:00 and 12:00 and 14:00 and 16:00.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://senedd.wales/visit/our-estate/senedd-north-wales-office/ | title=Senedd North Wales Office }}</ref> Previously the office was located at Prince's Park, [[Colwyn Bay]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senedd North Wales Office |url=https://senedd.wales/visit/our-estate/senedd-north-wales-office/ |access-date=2023-06-16 |website=senedd.wales |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Officials==
===Elected officials===
{{Main|Llywydd of the Senedd}}
[[File:Mace at the Senedd.jpg|thumb|The Senedd's [[Ceremonial maces in the British Isles|ceremonial mace]], ''Byrllysg'', sits in front of the Presiding Officer's desk in the Senedd chamber.]]
After each election, the Senedd elects one Member of the Senedd to serve as [[Llywydd of the Senedd|Llywydd]] (Presiding Officer) of the Senedd, and another to serve as Deputy Presiding Officer (Dirprwy Llywydd). [[Elin Jones]], [[Plaid Cymru]] MS, has been Llywydd since 2016, having taken over from [[Rosemary Butler (politician)|Rosemary Butler]]. The Llywydd also acts as Chair of the [[Senedd Commission]]. Both the Llywydd and the Deputy Presiding Officer (Dirprwy Lywydd) typically don't vote in simple-majority votes.

===Permanent officials===
The permanent administrative and support staff of the Senedd are employed by the Senedd Commission. They are not civil servants, although they enjoy similar terms and conditions of service to members of the [[Civil Service (United Kingdom)|UK Civil Service]]. The most senior permanent official is the [[Chief Executive and Clerk of the Senedd|chief executive and clerk]], and the position is currently held by [[Manon Antoniazzi]].

==Powers and status==
{{See also|2011 Welsh devolution referendum|Devolved, reserved and excepted matters|Act of Senedd Cymru}}

[[File:Royal Badge of Wales (2008-2024).svg|right|180px|thumb|The [[Royal Badge of Wales]] appears on [[Acts of Senedd Cymru]]<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/wales_politics/7497491.stm |title=First Welsh law's royal approval |work=BBC News |date=9 July 2008 |access-date=21 May 2011}}</ref>]]
[[File:Welsh_primary_legislation_by_year_(2008-2024).png|thumb|Bar chart/graph showing devolved Welsh primary legislation by year (2008-2024)]]
The Senedd consists of 60 elected members. They use the title [[Member of the Senedd]] (MS) or ''Aelod o'r Senedd'' (AS).<ref>[http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/n6m/wales/your_rights/civil_rights/national_assembly_for_wales.htm The National Assembly for Wales]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Civil rights – In Wales, Advice guide, [[Citizens Advice Bureau]]. Retrieved 13 July 2006.</ref> The executive arm of the Senedd, the [[Welsh Government]], has been a [[Welsh Labour|Labour]] administration since its inception in 1999. Currently it is led by First Minister, [[Eluned Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Ely]], since August 2024. The government between 2007 and 2011, had been a coalition between [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]], led by First Minister Carwyn Jones and [[Plaid Cymru]], led by Deputy First Minister [[Ieuan Wyn Jones]]; and between 2016 and 2021, Labour had been in coalition with the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] and an independent member.<ref name="Cabinet members 1">{{cite web|title=Welsh Assembly Government – Cabinet Members|url=http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetm/?lang=en|access-date=16 April 2009|publisher=Welsh Assembly Government|year=2007|work=Welsh Assembly Government website|archive-date=23 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023054546/http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetm/?lang=en|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="News Wales 1">{{cite web|title=Crucial extracts from the One Wales Labour/Plaid Cymru coalition document|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/crucial-extracts-one-wales-labourplaid-2247075|access-date=16 April 2009|publisher=WalesOnline|date=28 June 2007|work=Martin Shipton, Western Mail}}</ref> Since 2021, the government has been a Labour minority government. The executive and civil servants are mainly based in Cardiff's [[Cathays Park]] while the MSs, the Senedd Commission and Ministerial support staff are based in [[Cardiff Bay]], where a new £67&nbsp;million building, the [[Senedd building|Senedd]], has been built.<ref>[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20060214022005/http://www.direct.gov.uk/Gtgl1/GuideToGovernment/DevolvedAndLocalGovernment/DevolvedAndLocalGovernmentArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4003262&chk=TcEHWp National Assembly for Wales and Welsh Assembly] in ''Guide to government: Devolved and local government'', [http://www.direct.gov.uk Direct.gov.uk], UK state website. Retrieved 13 July 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.wales.gov.uk/assemblybuilding/index.htm Assembly Building] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070108124555/http://www.wales.gov.uk/assemblybuilding/index.htm |date=8 January 2007 }}: Welsh Assembly website. Retrieved 13 July 2006.</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4686944.stm New assembly building opens doors]: BBC News, 1 March 2006. Retrieved 13 July 2006.</ref>

One important feature of the National Assembly until 2007 was that there was no legal or constitutional separation of the legislative and executive functions, since it was a single corporate entity. Compared with other [[parliamentary system]]s, and arrangements for devolution in other countries of the UK, this was unusual. In practice, however, there was separation of functions, and the terms "Assembly" and "Assembly Parliamentary Service" came into use to distinguish between the two arms. The Government of Wales Act 2006 regularised the separation when it came into effect following the 2007 Assembly Election.

Initially, the Assembly did not have primary legislative or fiscal powers, as these powers were reserved by [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Westminster]]. The Assembly did have powers to pass [[secondary legislation]] in devolved areas. Sometimes secondary legislation could be used to amend [[primary legislation]], but the scope of this was very limited. For example, the first Government of Wales Act gave the Assembly power to amend primary legislation relating to the merger of certain public bodies. However, most secondary powers were conferred on the executive by primary legislation to give the executive (i.e. Ministers) more powers, and the Assembly had wider legislative powers than appearances might suggest. For example, the Assembly delayed local elections due to be held in 2003 for a year by use of secondary powers, so that they would not clash with Assembly elections. In 2001 the UK parliament used primary legislation to delay for one month local elections in England during the [[Foot-and-mouth disease]] epidemic.

The Assembly gained limited primary legislative powers following the 2007 election and the passage of the [[Government of Wales Act 2006]]. These laws are known as [[Measure of the National Assembly for Wales|Assembly Measures]] and can be enacted in specific fields and matters within the legislative competency of the Assembly. New matters and fields can be devolved by Acts of the UK Parliament or by [[Legislative Competence Order|LCOs]] approved by Parliament.

Until 2015 the Assembly had no tax-varying powers, however it could influence the rate of [[Council Tax]] set by [[Local government in the United Kingdom|local authorities]], which are part-funded by a grant from the Welsh government.<ref name=BBC-tcfwgtfct>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-15147073|title=Tories call for Welsh government to freeze council tax|date=3 October 2011|access-date=23 September 2012|work=BBC News}}</ref> It also has some discretion over charges for government services. Notable examples in which this discretion has been used to create significant differences from other areas in the UK are:

# ''Charges for NHS prescriptions in Wales'' – these have now been abolished.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3706876.stm Q and A: Welsh prescription prices]: BBC News, 1 October 2004. Retrieved 31 July 2006.</ref>
# ''Charges for University Tuition'' – are different for Welsh resident students studying at Welsh Universities, compared with students from or studying elsewhere in the UK.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4119268.stm Q&A: Welsh top-up fees]: BBC News, 22 June 2005. Retrieved 31 July 2006.</ref>
# ''Charging for Residential Care'' – In Wales there is a flat rate of contribution towards the cost of nursing care (roughly comparable to the highest level of English Contribution) for those who require residential care.<ref>
[http://www.nhfa.co.uk/objects/downloads/NHFA_news.pdf "NHS Continuing Care – Commons Health Select Committee"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925190634/http://www.nhfa.co.uk/objects/downloads/NHFA_news.pdf |date=25 September 2006 }}, ''News and Views – NHFA''. Retrieved 10 November 2006.</ref>

This means in reality that there is a wider definition of "nursing care" than in England and therefore less dependence on means testing in Wales than in England, so that more people are entitled to higher levels of state assistance. These variations in the levels of charges may be viewed as ''de facto'' tax varying powers.

This model of more limited legislative powers created in 1999 was partly because Wales has had the same legal system as England since 1536 (though a different court system until 1830), when it was [[Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542|merged]] with England. [[Ireland#Union with Great Britain|Ireland]] and [[Acts of Union 1707|Scotland]] were never merged with England, and so always retained some differences in their legal systems. The [[Scottish Parliament]] and the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] both have deeper and wider powers.

The Assembly inherited the powers and budget of the [[Secretary of State for Wales]] and most of the functions of the [[Welsh Office]]. It has power to vary laws passed by [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Westminster]] using secondary legislation.

Following a referendum on 4 March 2011, the Welsh Assembly gained direct law-making powers (without the need to consult Westminster).
On 3 July 2012, the Welsh Assembly passed its first Act, the Local Government Byelaws (Wales) Act.<ref>[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2012/07/03/ams-applaud-as-assembly-passes-first-bill-on-byelaws-91466-31318217/ AMs applaud as Assembly passes first Bill... on byelaws]. Wales Online (3 July 2012). Retrieved on 24 August 2013.</ref>

The Wales Act 2014 and Wales Act 2017 devolved the following taxes to the Welsh Assembly:
* [[Business rates in Wales|Non-Domestic Rates in Wales]] – from 1 April 2015
* [[Land Transaction Tax]] (LTT) – from 1 April 2018
* [[Landfill Disposals Tax]] (LDT) – from 1 April 2018
* [[Welsh Rates of Income Tax]] (WRIT) – from 1 April 2019

===Powers of the Senedd===
{{main|Devolved, reserved and excepted matters}}
The Senedd has the competence to pass bills for [[Act of Senedd Cymru|Acts of Senedd Cymru]] in all areas which are not explicitly reserved to Westminster; these 'reserved matters' are outlined in schedule 7A of the [[Government of Wales Act 2006]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/32/schedule/7A |title=Government of Wales Act 2006 |publisher=Legislation.gov.uk}}</ref>

This means the Senedd has powers over areas such as:

* Agriculture, [[fisheries]], [[forestry]] and [[rural development]]
* [[Culture of Wales|Culture]]
* [[Economy of Wales|Economic development]]
* [[Education in Wales|Education and training]]
* [[Environment Agency Wales|Environment]]
* [[NHS Wales|Health and health services]]
* [[Transport in Wales|Highways and transport]]
* [[Local Government (Wales) Act 1994|Local government]]
* [[Tourism in Wales|Tourism]]
* [[Welsh language]]

Reserved matters include subjects such as:
* Foreign affairs
* Police and justice
* Currency
* Most benefits
* Most taxes
* Defence

==Members, constituencies, and electoral system==

[[File:Chamber (52354920165).jpg|thumb|Members of the Senedd during a [[plenary session]] in the Siambr]]  

{{See also|List of members of the Senedd|List of Senedd constituencies}}
Under the [[Additional Member System]],<ref>"[http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/polit/damy/BeginnningReading/PRsystems.htm#MMP Mixed-Member Proportional Voting]" in ''Proportional representation voting systems'', ''[http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/polit/damy/BeginnningReading/types.htm Types of Voting Systems] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060708090550/http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/polit/damy/BeginnningReading/types.htm |date=8 July 2006 }}'': ''PR Library'' created by Professor Douglas J. Amy, Department of Politics, Mount Holyoke College. Retrieved 8 July 2006.</ref><ref name="erf">''[http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/publications/leaflets/welshassembly.htm Electing the Welsh Assembly] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050323120107/http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/publications/leaflets/welshassembly.htm |date=23 March 2005 }}'': Electoral Reform Society, information regarding [[Additional-member system|Additional member system]] elections. Retrieved 9 December 2005.</ref> forty of the MSs are elected from single-member constituencies on a [[plurality voting system]] (or ''first past the post'') basis, the constituencies being equivalent to those used for the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] and twenty MSs are elected from regional [[closed list]]s using an alternative party vote.<ref name="electionbbc">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/events/wales_99/the_welsh_assembly/304956.stm The Welsh electoral system]: BBC News, 7 June 1999. Retrieved 7 July 2006.</ref> There are five regions: [[Mid and West Wales (Senedd electoral region)|Mid and West Wales]], [[North Wales (Senedd electoral region)|North Wales]], [[South Wales Central (Senedd electoral region)|South Wales Central]], [[South Wales East (Senedd electoral region)|South Wales East]] and [[South Wales West (Senedd electoral region)|South Wales West]] (these are the same as the pre 1999 European Parliament constituencies for Wales), each of which returns four members.<ref name="electionbbc" /> The additional members produce a degree of proportionality within each region.<ref name="electionbbc" /> Whereas voters can choose any regional party list irrespective of their party vote in the constituency election, list MSs are not elected independently of the constituency element; rather, elected constituency MSs are deemed to be pre-elected list representatives for the purposes of calculating remainders in the [[D'Hondt method]].<ref name="electionbbc" /> Overall proportionality is limited by the low proportion of list members (33% of the Senedd compared with 43% in the [[Scottish Parliament]] and 50% in the German ''[[Bundestag]]''), the regionalisation of the list element, and the lack of [[overhang seat]] compensation and [[leveling seat]]s.<ref name="richards" >Chapter 12: "The Electoral Arrangements" of the [http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20101228110706/http://www.richardcommission.gov.uk/content/finalreport/report-e.pdf Report of the Richard Commission]: ''Commission on the Powers and Electoral Arrangements of the National Assembly for Wales''. PDF document. Retrieved 8 July 2006.</ref> Consequently, the Senedd as a whole has a greater degree of proportionality (based on proportions in the list elections) than the plurality voting system used for British parliamentary elections, but still deviates somewhat from proportionality.<ref name="richards" />

With the recently passed [[Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024|Senedd Cymru (members and elections) Act 2024]]  the voting system will be changed to a [[closed list]] [[proportional representation]] system using the [[D'Hondt method|D’Hondt method]] with [[Elections in Wales|6 seat constituencies]]. This will be enacted in 2026 and may be used for the [[Next Senedd election|next election]] if it is scheduled for after then.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 {{!}} Law Wales |url=https://law.gov.wales/senedd-cymru-members-and-elections-act-2024 |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=law.gov.wales}}</ref>

In April 2020 the Senedd became the first legislature in the UK to meet over the internet. Due to the consequences of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Wales|COVID-19 pandemic]], it held First Minister's Questions using [[Zoom (software)|Zoom]] [[videotelephony]] software and the session was subsequently broadcast by Senedd.tv.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2020/04/01/welsh-assembly-meets-remotely-for-the-first-time/|title=Welsh Assembly meets remotely for the first time| website=www.expressandstar.com|date=April 2020 |language=en|access-date=5 April 2020}}</ref>

==Elections==
{{see also|List of Senedd elections|Elections in Wales#Devolved parliament elections}}
{{Welsh Parliament election results graph (percentage)}}
There have been six [[List of Senedd elections|elections to the Senedd]], in [[1999 National Assembly for Wales election|1999]], [[2003 National Assembly for Wales election|2003]], [[2007 National Assembly for Wales election|2007]], [[2011 National Assembly for Wales election|2011]], [[2016 National Assembly for Wales election|2016]] and [[2021 Senedd election|2021]]. The 2016 election was delayed from 2015 as the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|UK general election was held in 2015]],<ref name="Assemblydelay">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-12764639|title=2015 Welsh assembly election delayed, says Carwyn Jones|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=16 March 2011|date=16 March 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/14/section/5/enacted Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011] section 5</ref> and following the passing of the Wales Act 2014, elections occur every five years from the 2016 election.

The [[next Senedd election]] is due to be held on Thursday 7 May 2026.

===Summary===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:text-top;"
|-
!rowspan="3" | Assembly/<br />Senedd !! rowspan="3" | Year !! rowspan="3" | Turnout !! colspan="6" | Seats !! rowspan="3" | [[List of Welsh Governments|Governments]]
|- 
![[Welsh Labour|Labour]] !! [[Plaid Cymru|Plaid<br />Cymru]] !! [[Welsh Conservatives|Conser{{shy}}vative]] !! [[Welsh Liberal Democrats|Lib<br />Dems]] !! [[UK Independence Party|UKIP]] !! Others
|-
! style="background-color: {{party color|Welsh Labour}}" |
!! style="background-color: {{party color|Plaid Cymru}}" |
!! style="background-color: {{party color|Welsh Conservatives}}" |
!! style="background-color: {{party color|Welsh Liberal Democrats}}" |
!! style="background-color: {{party color|UK Independence Party}}" |
!! style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
|-
! || 1997 
| 50% || colspan="6" | [[1997 Welsh devolution referendum|''Devolution referendum'']] 
!
|-
![[Members of the 1st National Assembly for Wales|1st]] ||[[1999 National Assembly for Wales election|1999]] 
| 46% || 28 || 17 || 9 || 6 || – || – 
! style="text-align:left;"| [[Michael government|Michael]] (Labour minority)<br />[[Interim Morgan Government|Interim Morgan]] (Labour minority)<br />[[First Rhodri Morgan government|Morgan I]] (Labour – LD)
|-
![[Members of the 2nd National Assembly for Wales|2nd]] ||[[2003 National Assembly for Wales election|2003]] 
| 38% || 30 || 12 || 11 || 6 || 0 || style="text-align:left; | [[John Marek|1]] ([[John Marek Independent Party|JMIP]])
! style="text-align:left;"| [[Second Morgan government|Morgan II]] (Labour majority until 2005<ref>{{cite book |last1=Morgan |first1=Rhodri |title=A Political Life in Wales and Westminster |date=2017 |publisher=University of Wales Press |isbn=978-1-78683-147-7 |page=259 |edition=First}}</ref>), minority after 2005{{Refn|name=Rhodri Morgan|group=n|With the [[Llywydd of the Senedd|Presiding and Deputy Presiding Officer]] both coming from the opposition Labour had 30 voting members to the oppositions collective 28. This government officially became a minority government in 2005 after Peter Law left Labour to sit as an independent on the opposition benches, giving the government 29 and the opposition (excluding the Presiding Officer and Deputy) 29.}}
|- 
![[Members of the 3rd National Assembly for Wales|3rd]] ||[[2007 National Assembly for Wales election|2007]] 
| 44% || 26 || 15 || 12 || 6 || 0|| style="text-align:left; | [[Trish Law|1]] ([[Blaenau Gwent People's Voice|BGPVG]])
! style="text-align:left;"| [[Third Morgan government|Morgan III]] (Labour minority) <br /> [[Fourth Morgan government|Morgan IV]] ([[One Wales|Labour – Plaid]])<br />[[First Jones government|Jones I]] (Labour – Plaid)
|-
! || 2011
| 36% || colspan="6" | [[2011 Welsh devolution referendum|''Devolution referendum'']] 
!
|-
![[Members of the 4th National Assembly for Wales|4th]] ||[[2011 National Assembly for Wales election|2011]] 
| 42% || 30 || 11 || 14 || 5 || 0 || – 
! style="text-align:left;"| [[Second Jones government|Jones II]] (Labour minority)
|-
![[Members of the 5th National Assembly for Wales|5th]] ||[[2016 National Assembly for Wales election|2016]] 
| 45% || 29 || 12 || 11 || 1 || 7 || –
! style="text-align:left;"| [[Third Jones government|Jones III]] (Labour–LD minority, Lib Dem coalition)<br />[[First Drakeford government|Drakeford I]] (Labour–LD–IND majority)
|-
![[Members of the 6th Senedd|6th]]
![[2021 Senedd election|2021]]
| 47% || 30 || 13 || 16 || 1 || 0 || –
! style="text-align:left;"| [[Second Drakeford government|Drakeford II]] (Labour minority)<br />[[Gething government|Gething]] (Labour minority)<br />[[Eluned Morgan government|Eluned Morgan]] (Labour minority)
|}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=n}}

===Last election===
===Overall===
{{election table|title=2021 Senedd election}}
|-
| style="background:white;" colspan="15"| [[File:Senedd 2021.svg|center|360px]]
|-
!rowspan=3 colspan=2 | Parties
!colspan=10 | [[Additional member system]]
!rowspan=2 colspan=5 | Total seats
|-
!colspan=5 |Constituency
!colspan=5 |Region
|-
! Votes !! % !! +/− !! Seats !! +/− 
! Votes !! % !! +/− !! Seats !! +/−
! Total !! +/− !! %
|-
{{AMS Election Summary Party
  |party         = Welsh Labour
  |votes         = 443,047
  |votes %       = 39.9
  |votes net     = {{increase}} 5.2
  |seats         = 27
  |seats net     = {{nochange}}
  |AMS votes     = 401,770
  |AMS votes %   = 36.2
  |AMS votes net = {{increase}} 4.7
  |AMS seats     = 3
  |AMS seats net = {{increase}} 1
  |Seats total   = 30
  |Seats net     = {{increase}} 1
  |Seats %       = 50
}}
{{AMS Election Summary Party|
  |party         = Welsh Conservatives
  |votes         = 289,802
  |votes %       = 26.1
  |votes net     = {{increase}} 5.0
  |seats         = 8
  |seats net     = {{increase}} 2
  |AMS votes     = 278,650
  |AMS votes %   = 25.1
  |AMS votes net = {{increase}} 6.3
  |AMS seats     = 8
  |AMS seats net = {{increase}} 3
  |Seats total   = 16
  |Seats net     = {{increase}} 5
  |Seats %       = 26.7
}}
{{AMS Election Summary Party|
  |party         = Plaid Cymru
  |votes         = 225,376
  |votes %       = 20.3
  |votes net     = {{decrease}} 0.2
  |seats         = 5
  |seats net     = {{decrease}} 1
  |AMS votes     = 230,161
  |AMS votes %   = 20.7
  |AMS votes net = {{decrease}} 0.1
  |AMS seats     = 8
  |AMS seats net = {{increase}} 2
  |Seats total   = 13
  |Seats net     = {{increase}} 1
  |Seats %       = 21.7
  }}
{{AMS Election Summary Party|
  |party         = Welsh Liberal Democrats
  |votes         = 54,202
  |votes %       = 4.9
  |votes net     = {{decrease}} 2.8
  |seats         = 0
  |seats net     = {{decrease}} 1
  |AMS votes     = 48,217
  |AMS votes %   = 4.3
  |AMS votes net = {{decrease}} 2.2
  |AMS seats     = 1
  |AMS seats net = {{increase}} 1
  |Seats total   = 1
  |Seats net     = {{nochange}}
  |Seats %       = 1.7
}}
{{AMS Election Summary Party|
  |party         = Wales Green Party
  |votes         = 17,817
  |votes %       = 1.6
  |votes net     = {{decrease}} 0.9
  |seats         = 0
  |seats net     = {{nochange}}
  |AMS votes     = 48,714
  |AMS votes %   = 4.4
  |AMS votes net = {{increase}} 1.4
  |AMS seats     = 0
  |AMS seats net = {{nochange}}
  |Seats total   = 0
  |Seats net     = {{nochange}}
  |Seats %       = 0.0
}}
{{AMS Election Summary Party|
  |party         = Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party
  |votes         = 18,149
  |votes %       = 1.6
  |votes net     = {{increase}} 1.6
  |seats         = 0
  |seats net     = {{nochange}}
  |AMS votes     = 41,399
  |AMS votes %   = 3.7
  |AMS votes net = {{decrease}} 0.7
  |AMS seats     = 0
  |AMS seats net = {{nochange}}
  |Seats total   = 0
  |Seats net     = {{nochange}}
  |Seats %       = 0.0
}}
{{AMS Election Summary Party|
  |party         = UK Independence Party
  |votes         = 8,586
  |votes %       = 0.8
  |votes net     = {{decrease}} 11.7
  |seats         = 0
  |seats net     = {{nochange}}
  |AMS votes     = 17,341
  |AMS votes %   = 1.6
  |AMS votes net = {{decrease}} 11.4
  |AMS seats     = 0
  |AMS seats net = {{decrease}} 7
  |Seats total   = 0
  |Seats net     = {{decrease}} 7
  |Seats %       = 0.0
}}
|}

===Turnout===
Voter turnout at Senedd elections has been traditionally lower than UK general elections. No election since devolution began has hit 50% turnout, with the 2021 election being the highest at 46.6%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Election 2021: how many people voted?|url=https://research.senedd.wales/research-articles/election-2021-how-many-people-voted/|first1=Lucy|last1=Morgan|first2=Gareth|last2=Thomas|first3=Owain|last3=Davies|first4=Joe|last4=Wilkes|date=18 May 2021|access-date=28 October 2021|website=senedd.wales|language=en-GB|archive-date=24 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724233257/https://research.senedd.wales/research-articles/election-2021-how-many-people-voted/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In their 2004 paper ''Turnout, Participation and Legitimacy in Post-Devolution Wales'', academics [[Roger Awan-Scully]], [[Richard Wyn Jones]] and [[Dafydd Trystan Davies]] identified three potential reasons for this: antipathy to the Welsh institutions, apathy to the Welsh institutions or apathy to politics more generally. They suggested apathy – in Wales and to politics in general – is the most likely reason.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Scully|first1=Roger|last2=Jones|first2=Richard Wyn|last3=Trystan|first3=Dafydd|year=2004|title=Turnout, Participation and Legitimacy in Post-Devolution Wales|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S000712340400016X/type/journal_article|journal=[[British Journal of Political Science]]|language=en|volume=34|issue=3|pages=519–537|doi=10.1017/S000712340400016X|s2cid=53573311|issn=0007-1234}}</ref>

Following the 2021 election, Dr Jac Larner, a politics lecturer at [[Cardiff University]] and an investigator for the Welsh election survey, said the lower turnout figures in Wales did not necessarily reflect a lack of perceived importance in the Senedd.<ref name="Grey"/> He told [[BBC News]]: "We know from research that low voter turnout is actually a lot do to with people thinking they can't win in a devolved election, so they don't bother going to vote. That's different to a general election where, in Wales, Labour are still more likely to win a majority of seats, but at the UK level it's far more competitive."<ref name="Grey">{{cite news|last=Grey|first=Jack|date=2021-05-16|title=Welsh election: Votes low compared to Westminster and Scotland|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-57085775|access-date=2021-10-28}}</ref> He compared turnout in Wales to turnout for [[Scottish Parliament]] elections, which is significantly higher: "Scotland is in quite a unique political position at the moment, where the single most salient issue and the biggest cleavage in society – the issue of [[Scottish independence|independence]] – basically is going to be determined by what happens at the Holyrood elections. Part of it is this idea of interest – there has always been more interest in the idea of a Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Parliament has always been more powerful than the Senedd, even going back to 1999."<ref name="Grey"/>

==Current composition==
===Government formation===
Welsh Labour won 30 seats out of 60 in the 2021 Senedd elections. On 9 May 2021 the First Minister, [[Mark Drakeford]] MS said "We have demonstrated over a number of governments that you can govern successfully on 30 seats, but I'm open to working with any party where there is common ground between us."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-57042797|title=Election 2021: Mark Drakeford to form Welsh Labour government alone|work=BBC News|date=9 May 2021}}</ref>

On 22 November 2021, a deal between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru was announced. The agreement was not one which saw Plaid Cymru entering a coalition in government with Labour, with Plaid Cymru MSs remaining in opposition. However, Plaid Cymru were able to appoint special advisors to the Welsh Government in a deal which was designed to last for three years.<ref name="Plaid deal">{{unbulleted list citebundle|{{Cite web |title=Ambitious deal to deliver radical change and reform |url=https://gov.wales/ambitious-deal-deliver-radical-change-and-reform |website=GOV.WALES|date=22 November 2021 }}|{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59371291|title = Labour and Plaid Cymru deal set to last three years|work = BBC News|date = 22 November 2021}}}}</ref> On 17 May 2024, Plaid Cymru announced it would uniliaterally exit the agreement due to concerns with the Labour government's ethics.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Plaid Cymru pulls out of co-operation agreement with Welsh Labour |url=https://news.sky.com/story/plaid-cymru-pulls-out-of-co-operation-agreement-with-welsh-labour-13137829 |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Welsh law]]
* [[Act of Senedd Cymru]]
* [[List of by-elections to the Senedd]]
* [[Regional member changes to the Senedd]]
* [[Member of the Senedd]]
* [[Scottish Parliament]]
* [[Northern Ireland Assembly]]
* [[Senedd constituencies and electoral regions]]
* [[Welsh law#Wales-only laws|Wales-only laws]]
* [[List of Senedd elections]]
* [[Devolved, reserved and excepted matters#Scotland and Wales|List of devolved matters in Wales]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{notelist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://archive.today/20130419204254/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00t5z5c The Queen opens the First Welsh Assembly 1999]
* [https://www.senedd.tv/ Senedd.tv website]

{{Senedd}}
{{Welsh devolution}}
{{Wales topics}}
{{Parliaments in Europe}}
{{UK legislatures}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Senedd| ]]
[[Category:Politics of Wales]]
[[Category:Unicameral legislatures]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in Wales]]
[[Category:Welsh parliaments]]
[[Category:Legislatures of country subdivisions]]