Comment DBCC-4472

Dear Commissioners,

On behalf of the Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) membership of Welsh Labour, I would like to provide our response to the 2026 Review of Senedd Constituencies Initial Proposals, particularly focusing on how these changes impact key communities in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, and Wrexham.

We commend the Commission for the detailed and thoughtful approach in realigning the constituencies. The following aspects of the proposals reflect positive changes that address long-standing concerns regarding minority ethnic representation:

Key Positive Aspects:

Newport and Islwyn (Casnewydd ac Islwyn):
We are pleased to see Newport unified under a single Senedd constituency. Newport has one of the highest concentrations of BAME communities, with significant populations of South Asian and Arab heritage. By keeping these communities together in one constituency, Member of Senedd ‘s can continue to serve these diverse populations effectively and support minority ethnic representation.

Cardiff East and North (Dwyrain a Gogledd Caerdydd):
The combination of Cardiff East and North will unify neighborhoods with substantial BAME populations. With Cardiff having the highest concentration of minority ethnic communities in Wales, this constituency offers a more cohesive representation for these diverse groups, ensuring that their needs and voices are heard at the Senedd.

Alyn, Deeside and Wrexham (Alun, Glannau Dyfrdwy a Wrecsam):
The alignment of Wrexham with Alyn and Deeside is another significant improvement. Wrexham is home to a growing minority ethnic population, including Eastern European and Asian communities. The proposal will facilitate better engagement and representation for these groups.

Swansea West and Gower (Gorllewin Abertawe a Gŵyr):
The proposed Swansea West and Gower constituency creates a clear link between two key areas where many faith, cultural, and ethnic minority groups reside. These communities are vital contributors to Swansea’s identity, and this cohesive constituency allows for continued representation and support.

As a residence of Swansea I strongly belive and recommend that the proposed Swansea West and Gower constituency be renamed either:
• Swansea Central and Gower, or
• Swansea and Gower.
This recommendation is based on several important considerations:
Reflection of Demographic Changes:
During the recent parliamentary boundary changes, two-thirds of Swansea East was merged with Swansea West. As a result, the current boundary of Swansea West no longer accurately reflects the distinct areas within the city. Renaming the constituency to Swansea Central would better capture the combined areas of Swansea East and West, reflecting the broader demographic that the constituency now encompasses. Alternatively, simply using Swansea and Gower would provide a clear and inclusive name that reflects the city as a whole and its surrounding area.
Avoiding Confusion:
Using the name Swansea West no longer accurately represents the new constituency's composition and could lead to confusion among residents and stakeholders. A name such as Swansea Central or Swansea and Gower would not only clarify the geographical scope of the constituency but would also align with public understanding of the changes, ensuring clear communication between elected representatives and their constituents.
Aligning with Local Identity:
Swansea is a city with a strong sense of identity, and its central area plays a vital role in the lives of residents from all walks of life, including those from minority ethnic communities. A more inclusive name like Swansea Central and Gower or Swansea and Gower would better reflect the character and cohesion of the city and its surrounding communities.
In making this recommendation, I believe the Commission has an opportunity to ensure the name of the new constituency reflects both its geographic reality and the identity of its diverse residents.

Concerns and Opportunities for Further Improvement:
While these proposed changes are generally positive, there are key areas where further consideration is needed to ensure that the redrawing of boundaries fully reflects the importance of BAME representation in the Senedd.

Proportional Representation:
While these constituencies house large minority ethnic populations, we are concerned that underrepresentation still persists. There is a need for concerted efforts from political parties, including Welsh Labour, to prioritise BAME candidates in winnable seats in these new constituencies. The boundaries provide the opportunity; now we must ensure that BAME candidates have access to these opportunities.

Community Cohesion:
As you move forward with the consultation process, we ask that the Commission continues to consider the importance of maintaining community cohesion within constituencies. BAME communities, particularly in areas like Cardiff, Swansea and Newport, thrive when they are represented collectively. Any further boundary changes should take this into account.

Final Thoughts:
We appreciate the opportunity to engage in this consultation and commend the Commission for its work on creating a more equitable representation for Wales' diverse communities. We hope that political parties and the Senedd will use this opportunity to further the goals of inclusivity and diversity in leadership. These new constituencies, particularly those with significant BAME populations, offer a clear path to enhancing representation in line with Welsh Government Anti-Racism Action Plan 2030.

We are committed to supporting this process and remain open to further dialogue as the review progresses.

Sincerely,
[REDACTED]

Respondent type

Member of public

This comment refers to

The entire area under review.