Did a little deep dive into the data for last week’s Senedd election. ⬇️

ON THE BLOG: How will the 2026 Senedd election change Welsh politics? Following our March webinar, panellist @jessblair.bsky.social explains the changes that have been made to the Senedd and how MSs will be elected, and argues the chosen electoral system of closed lists should be replaced by STV

With less than a week until the Senedd election, I’ve jotted down a few thoughts on how the election itself will be different and what the issues with the changes are. 👇

Delighted to be asked to offer some thoughts on the changes coming to the elections in Wales in just a couple of months. If you are keen to hear more you can catch up below 👇

How will the 2026 Senedd election change Welsh politics? On 5 March, join @jessblair.bsky.social, @lauramcallister30.bsky.social and @paulsilk.bsky.social to discuss recent and possible future reforms to the Senedd. Sign up for this free, online event 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

Be part of Wales’ changing democracy – join us at the Senedd for expert insights on the changes ahead, and learn how to prepare your organisation for post-election engagement. Book here 👉 https://ow.ly/yK7N50XgONb Jess Blair Joe Rossiter Maria Drave

Fascinating keynote from @mickantoniw.bsky.social at the @iwa-wales.bsky.social AGM today on the breakdown of trust in democracy and the need for radical constitutional reform.

Not a surprise to hear AVR likely not going to be in place for 2026 but it’s a problem of the Welsh Government’s making to some extent. And it’s the 400,000 missing off the register who will bear the consequences of this. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

🥀 Support for Labour plummets in ITV Wales' poll - all the reaction from our panel @jessblair.bsky.social @adrianmasters84.bsky.social @jaclarner.bsky.social 🎥 We hear from @prifweinidog.gov.wales plus those looking to succeed her 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Elin Jones on why she's stepping down as Llywydd 📺 10:45pm

Pleased to have been appointed to the Welsh Government’s Innovating Democracy Advisory Group. There’s a huge amount of work to do to get democracy in Wales to work for everyone. Looking forward to getting started. www.gov.wales/written-stat...

Wrote this for @nation.cymru on why the next Senedd could be the least representative ever. I really hope that’s not the case but it’s up to the political parties to stop it from happening. nation.cymru/opinion/why-...

Really interesting discussion @plaidcymru.bsky.social conference between @jessblair.bsky.social and @rhunapiorwerth.bsky.social discussing the impact the new electoral system will have for Welsh democracy and how it should lead to improved representation and diversity

Under these plans voters could remove a badly behaving MS (good) but not get to decide on their replacement (very bad). In order for this to work & rebuild trust we need proper accountability, not a half measure. Misbehaving Welsh politicians may face recall vote www.bbc.com/news/article...

A topical and important event coming up next week. 👇

Some end of 2024 listening now up at @hiraethpod.bsky.social!

What am I doing on my first day off of the festive season, you ask? Listening to the latest @waterslee.bsky.social podcast in the gym. Think this one might be the best yet. Some genuinely jaw dropping anecdotes 👀 open.spotify.com/episode/3JL0...

Turns out the General Election in July was not only the most disproportional election in British history, but also one of the most disproportional seen anywhere in the world. That’s quite the achievement 🥇😬

Well this nearly gave me a heart attack when it went off. Stay safe everyone.

This year’s Feminist Scorecard has been released by WEN Wales & Oxfam. Spoiler alert; things aren’t good. 🔴 ratings for both fair finance & caring responsibilities. No significant progress made in any of the 6 areas.

Thought I’d give the new TfW Pay as You Go system a try after seeing it’s been rolled out. Tapped a suspicious looking machine on the platform but nothing showing on the app. Anyone know which stations are included? Ive belt & braced it and bought a ticket too 🙃 news.tfw.wales/news/pay-as-...

10000% this!! @storyvillebooks.bsky.social is an amazing independent shop in #Pontypridd and was at the heart of the wonderful @eisteddfod.cymru fringe this year. They’ve been hit hard and because they’re a real shop, not a river-based wesbsite, they have stock that’s been damaged. Donate/Buy! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Prior to photographing my cat on a radiator I was in the Senedd arguing that voters should have a fuller say in who replaces a politician who’s been kicked out for bad behaviour.

Oh to be a cat on a radiator on this freezing cold day.

For anyone at Welsh Labour Conference today we’ve got a cracking fringe this lunchtime!

The next stop on the trip around Wales. 👋 Llandudno!

A few days travelling around Wales for work. First stop has been Aberaeron. Beautiful 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿