The Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament: The Senedd is the devolved legislature of Wales, with powers over areas such as education, health, and transportation. It has 60 Members of the Senedd (MS), elected through an Additional Member System, which combines constituency representation and proportional representation.
Political Parties: Similar to the UK Parliament, Welsh politics is dominated by several political parties:
- Labour Party: Historically the dominant party in Wales, Labour has traditionally held the most seats in the Senedd and has a strong presence in Welsh politics.
- Conservative Party: The second-largest party in the Senedd, Conservatives have seen growth in recent years, particularly in the 2019 UK General Election, where they made gains in Wales.
- Plaid Cymru: A Welsh nationalist party advocating for Welsh independence and greater devolution of powers from Westminster to Wales. It has consistently been the third-largest party in the Senedd.
- Liberal Democrats: Though not as prominent as in the past, the Liberal Democrats still have a presence in Welsh politics, advocating for liberal policies and often focusing on issues such as education and the environment.
- Others: There are also smaller parties and independent representatives in the Senedd, though their influence is generally limited compared to the major parties.
Key Issues: Welsh politics often revolves around issues such as healthcare, education, the economy, and, more recently, constitutional matters like devolution and Welsh independence. The performance of the Welsh Government in delivering public services, as well as its handling of matters like Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, are significant factors in elections.
The Welsh Government: The Welsh Government, headed by the First Minister, is responsible for implementing policy in devolved areas. The leader of the largest party (or coalition of parties) in the Senedd usually becomes the First Minister. Welsh Government ministers are appointed from among the Members of the Senedd and oversee specific policy areas.
Devolution: Devolution has granted Wales significant powers over its own affairs, though some areas like defence and foreign policy remain reserved to the UK Parliament. The degree of devolution has evolved over time, with some advocating for further devolution or even independence.
Electoral System: The Senedd is elected using an Additional Member System (AMS). There are 40 constituency members elected in first-past-the-post elections, and 20 additional members elected through regional proportional representation.
Understanding Welsh politics involves considering the interplay between these factors, as well as the historical and cultural context of Wales within the United Kingdom.