Welsh politics is entering a new phase. It's likely to be a rough ride

'By electing six MSs from a Closed List system where people vote for a party rather than an individual, the crucial personality element of politics is being eliminated.' I agree. I support the increase in the number of MS's - not least because Wales has a considerably smaller number of Senedd representatives in relation to our population when we' compare with Scotland and Northern Ireland. But it seems to me that the closed list system will effectively prioritize the interests of political parties over those of voters.

Disgraceful method of candidate selection dressed up as democracy. Shameful and should never be allowed, but there, what else do you expect from Labour and Plaid?

Very poor article Ships…..and I like most of yours. While all the political journos etc are up in arms about the closed list system, the reality is that 95%+ of the Welsh public couldn’t care less and vote for the party NOT the candidate. Most wouldn’t even be able to name their candidate.

We used to elect MEPs using the closed list system. And now we don't elect MEPs anymore. This change is a threat to devolution.

Anti-democratic and will further alienate the disillusioned, or apathetic, voters in Wales. This is cynical and self serving behaviour from politicians, who underestimate the risks of what they’re doing. Creating a large group of people who feel disenfranchised, unrepresented and ignored is very foolish.

Will / Would any of the political parties standing at the 2026 election make one of their main points in their manifesto to scrap the closed list system and replace STV as the voting system for individual candidates.

Said this from the start. Think we should be sceptical of any opposition to this system as well. We all know that parties in the Bay have a loyalty based hierarchy rather than one based on ability. We all know which parties those are. Why anyone would think those parties don't see value in the closed lists - despite protestations - is beyond me. It's a perfectly natural and consistent move for them. The only people who suggest that every party that rewards loyalty first does not actually support this system are those who think they're in the race to benefit from it. They'll downvote. They'll call it out and hope the motivated reasoning of their party faithful will cover them. Wont fly with voters. Will fly for Reform. Well done.

Should never had expanded it by 36 members straight away in 2026 it should have been gradual increase over the next few elections.. Remember the Welsh electorate were never even given a say in this.

A wonderful article. Mr Shipton has hit the nail on the head. Closed lists (CLs) in massive multi-member constituencies will serve no purpose but pushing politics, Aelodau Senedd and the whole governance of Wales much further away from the people who elect them. How are CLs going to improve public perception of our young democracy? How is it going to make people engage more with politics? How will it win over the anti-devolutionists, who are still very much present in our country? As an example of how politicians have become haughty and distant, let me recount a recent experience which has destroyed my confidence in them. In recent months we have had huge problems due to lack of financial support in Conwy that has negatively affected education. I, who always believed in politics and using the political system, tried writing to the (now former) Education Minister, only to have my concerns dismissed and the blame passed on to others, by a politician whose government, despite the best of them, has been in power for far too long, has become 'entitled' to rule, and has no need to give an account of itself to the people of Wales. That is hardly the devolution we were promised! I fear that these massive constituencies, filled by members chosen by party hierarchies, will only lead to more of these haughty 'people know your place and don't question us, we know best' attitudes - and worse. A much better idea, in my opinion would be either STV, or even 96 much smaller, single member constituencies, elected by SV, where the member represents a smaller number of people, has to get 50% of the vote to win, and would be much closer to his or her constituents. This would encourage more local people to take part and encourage local accountability and scrutiny. However, it seems that the Labour party, now obsessed with remaining in absolute power, have chosen a system that suits them, and not the people of Wales!

Listen to Plaid Cymru's Ann Davies' maiden speech in UK parliament. Now she is the sort of MP that everyone wants! Years of experience & knowledge, a great passion for the communities she represents & putting common sense above ideology! & highlighting the cause to stop foreigners ruining the Welsh landscape by undergrounding cables.

I despair at the dreadful quality of today’s political selection pool. The key qualities of the average politician seem to be amorality, dishonesty, careerism, and no small dose of stupidity. How on earth did we let it get this bad?

Closed lists can work somewhere like the Netherlands, where the party system is fragmented and anyone who falls out with their leader can simply start their own party. It's different in Wales, where we currently have only three major parties (the Lib Dems don't count any more); the third of which is in permanent opposition, and the second is subservient to the first. A reckoning must come. Either the system falls apart – a change with huge potential for both good and bad. Or it holds, and politics becomes merely a game played for personal advancement in a tiny circle of activists, whose idea of sophisticated argument is "Tories are bad, Labour aren't the Tories, therefore Labour are good", and who think of ordinary people – if at all – only as a potential enemy force who need to be kept just happy enough to stop them from revolting.

How can they justify having 36 new members when only 46% could be bothered to vote at the last election. This system is more about rewarding party loyalists than better representation of voters.

Take a look at the smug faces at the top of Welsh Labour and weep @got fooled again...

It's a missed chance. You want to ablish FPTP? Good idea - have STV using the old electorates so enabling one person being responsible for an area. You want more politicians? Simple have the increased number come from the regional list. Best of both worlds... With STV pay attention to how in Australia you don't have to fill in all the squares / numbers for the vote to count.

Wales...where democracy came to DIE!!!

It would make more sense to elect three members to each of the Westminster constituencies, voters able to indicate their wishes by selecting three in order of preference from among all the candidates. It would have delivered a remarkably proportional result not based solely on allegience to party hierarchy.

"Individuals will be elected to the Senedd not because of their appeal to voters or work they have done, but because they have played the system within their party to ensure they are at the top of the Closed List or close to it." Nuff said.

Journalistic scrutiny is a necessary part of a healthy democracy.

Given the low level of competence, intelligence and vision in the Labour government in the Senedd it's little wonder they don't want us to see the candidates. Keeping things hidden and out of the public eye seems to be the order of the day. It will allow nepotism to rule ok.