96 Senedd members will represent 16 ‘super constituencies’ after the 2026 Senedd election
The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru has today (3 September 2024) released its initial proposals for redrawing the Senedd constituencies ahead of the 2026 elections, a move set to significantly alter the political landscape in Wales.
Among the proposals, a notable change is the combination of the Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr constituency with the Dwyfor Meirionnydd seat to form a new Senedd constituency.
The Senedd will expand to allow 96 Senedd Members to be elected. Each constituency will elect six Members of the Senedd (MS) using the D’Hondt method, currently employed for regional lists in the Senedd.
Currently, 60 Senedd Members are elected with 40 representing individual constituencies and 20 from broader regional areas. The area of Glyndwr was taken from Wrexham and added to the seat of Montgomeryshire at the recent General Election.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Montgomeryshire MS, Russell George said:
"The combining of two constituencies into one to make a ‘super constituency’ represented by 6 different Senedd Members, will cause yet further confusion for those who have already had to contend with boundary changes in council and Westminster elections.’’
‘’The initial proposals will see Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, paired with Dwyfor Meirionnydd. People will rightly be confused as to which of the 6 MS’s is best served to represent their concerns.’’
‘’Welsh Conservatives have consistently opposed Labour and Plaid’s Senedd expansion proposals, it’s the wrong priority at a time when we need the money to be spent recruiting more Doctors and Nurses.’’
