Comment DBCC-7105

The Welsh Green Party is submitting its proposals for the revised boundaries of the Senedd ahead of the 2026 election. In line with the new rules, we understand that the Senedd will be composed of 16 constituencies, each electing six members. Our submission aims to ensure that these boundaries uphold the principles of fair representation, proportionality, and accountability. In particular, we believe that these proposals will best serve the needs of the electorate, fostering a transparent and equitable democratic process that enhances political engagement across Wales.

While we recognise the proposed size and composition of the new Senedd, we wish to formally register our disappointment that the Welsh Government has chosen the d'Hondt electoral system (as formerly used in the European Elections from 1999 to 2019 and currently employed for the Senedd's regional list allocations). We feel this system is not as proportional as the Single Transferable Vote, which could be applied just as easily. However, we acknowledge that the choice of electoral system is not within the Commission's terms of reference, and our proposals focus on ensuring the best possible representation within the given framework.

In developing the Welsh Green Party’s proposals for the new Senedd boundaries, we are fully aware of the guidelines that must be adhered to. In particular, we understand that the revised boundaries are to pair Westminster constituencies, with both language and geographical considerations taken into account. These criteria are essential for ensuring that communities across Wales are represented in a way that reflects their distinct identities and local needs. We have carefully considered these factors in our submission to propose boundaries that meet the requirements while also supporting effective and proportional representation for all constituents.

The Welsh Green Party is pleased to submit its formal proposals for the new Senedd constituencies. In line with the criteria outlined, we have named each constituency in both Welsh and English, allowing the Commission to choose which name to formally adopt. The following proposed Senedd constituencies are paired with the relevant Westminster
constituencies:

1. Dyffryn yr Afon Wysg / The Usk Valley Westminster
constituencies: Monmouthshire + Newport East
2. Mynydd Machen and Mynydd y Grug / The Mountains of Machen and the
Heather Westminster constituencies: Newport West and Islwyn +
Caerphilly
3. Gwlad y Pwll Mawr / Big Pit Country Westminster
constituencies: Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney + Torfaen
4. Y Mersydd (Cymreig) / The (Welsh) Marches Westminster
constituencies: Alyn and Deeside + Wrexham
5. Dyffryn Clwyd a Glan Arfordir Conwy / Vale of Clwyd and Conwy
Coast Westminster constituencies: Clwyd East + Clwyd North
6. Gwastadeddau Caerdydd / The Cardiff Levels Westminster
constituencies: Cardiff East + Cardiff South
7. Bryniau Caerdydd / The Cardiff Hills Westminster
constituencies: Cardiff North + Cardiff West
8. Bae Ceredigion a Glan Arfordir Penfro / Cardigan Bay and the
Pembrokeshire Coast Westminster constituencies: Ceredigion Preseli
+ Mid and South Pembrokeshire
9. Penrhyn Gŵyr / Gower Peninsula Westminster constituencies:
Swansea West + Gower
10. Cymoedd Llynfi-Afan / The Llynfi-Afan Valleys Westminster
constituencies: Bridgend + Aberafan Maesteg
11. Ynys Môn ac Gogledd Eryri / Anglesey and Northern Snowdonia
Westminster constituencies: Ynys Môn + Bangor Aberconwy
12. De Eryri ac Sir Maldwyn / Southern Snowdonia and Montgomeryshire
Westminster constituencies: Dwyfor Meirionnydd + Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr
13. Sir Gaerfyrddin / Carmarthenshire Westminster
constituencies: Caerfyrddin + Llanelli
14. Cymoedd De Cymru / The South Wales Valleys Westminster
constituencies: Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare + Rhondda and Ogmore
15. Ucheldir Morgannwg / The Glamorgan Uplands Westminster
constituencies: Vale of Glamorgan + Pontypridd
16. Cwm Tawe a Bannau Brycheiniog / The Swansea Valley and the Brecon
Beacons Westminster constituencies: Neath and Swansea East +
Brecon, Radnor and Cwm-Tawe

We believe that these names and boundaries reflect both the linguistic and geographical considerations of the communities they represent and ensure balanced representation within the Senedd.

The Welsh Green Party would like to express our sincere thanks to the Democracy and Boundaries Commission Cymru for their diligent work in reviewing and preparing the new Senedd boundaries. We recognize the complexity of this task and appreciate the efforts made to ensure fair and representative constituencies for the people of Wales.

We look forward to reviewing the secondary recommendations once they are published and will respond to those in the same manner, continuing to engage constructively in this important process.

This submission has been made by [REDACTED] , the Welsh Elections Officer for the Welsh Green Party, which forms part of the Green Party of England and Wales. We are proud to have full Westminster representation and are recognized as an official political party by the Electoral Commission.

Thank you once again for your hard work and consideration.

Yours sincerely,
[REDACTED]

Respondent type

On behalf of an organisation (private or public)

Organisation name

Welsh Green Party

This comment refers to

The entire area under review.