From a limited assembly to a sovereign-style parliament: the evolution of the Senedd
It began in 1999 as a body with almost no power to make its own laws. Through a series of referendums and legislative shifts, the Welsh legislature transformed from the National Assembly for Wales into the powerful, bilingual Senedd we recognize today.
The journey of the Senedd is defined by a gradual shift from secondary legislative powers to a 'reserved powers' model. Initially established by the Government of Wales Act 1998, the National Assembly for Wales lacked the authority to pass primary legislation. While it could pass secondary legislation in devolved areas, its scope was narrow. Significant milestones included the 2006 Act, which allowed for 'Assembly Measures,' and a pivotal 2011 referendum where voters granted the body direct law-making powers, removing the need to consult the UK Parliament on 20 specific devolved areas.
The constitutional structure has also undergone profound changes. Until 2007, the Assembly functioned as a single corporate entity without a formal legal separation between its legislative and executive arms. The Government of Wales Act 2006 regularized this, establishing the Welsh Government as a separate but accountable entity. This evolution culminated in the 2020 renaming to Senedd Cymru, reflecting its status as a national parliament. This transition moved Wales toward a model similar to the Scottish Parliament, where the UK government holds specific 'reserved' powers, and the Senedd controls all other matters.
The institution is currently navigating significant internal reforms. Following a 2022 agreement between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru, plans were unveiled to expand the Senedd from 60 to 96 members. This expansion includes moving away from the first-past-the-post system used for constituencies toward a closed-list proportional representation system, set to take effect from May 2026. While proponents argue this is essential for effective scrutiny, critics suggest the change may disproportionately impact smaller political parties.
Source: Senedd
