Welsh Parliament
The Welsh Parliament (Welsh: Senedd Cymru), commonly shortened to Senedd, is the devolved parliament with the power to make devolved laws in Wales. Between 1999 and 2020, it had the name National Assembly for Wales; commonly shortened to Welsh Assembly.
Welsh Parliament Senedd Cymru | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Llywydd (Presiding Officer) | Elin Jones, Plaid Cymru since 11 May 2016 |
Trefnydd (Minister for Senedd Business) | Lesley Griffiths, Labour Party since 13 May 2021 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 60 |
 | |
Political groups | Government
Opposition Parties
|
| Elections | |
| Additional Member System | |
Last election | 5 May 2016 |
Next election | 6 May 2021 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Senedd, Cardiff | |
| Website | |
| senedd.wales | |
History
The Assembly was created after the Government of Wales Act 1998 law, which was introduced after a referendum in 1997. The Assembly had no powers to make primary legislation until the Government of Wales Act 2006 law, which gave the Assembly limited powers to make laws.
Its powers were increased again after a Yes vote in a referendum on 3 March 2011, which allowed the Assembly to make laws without having to make a request to the Parliament of the UK, or to the Secretary of State for Wales.[1]
How it works
The Senedd has 60 members, called Members of the Senedd, or MSs for short. In Welsh, they are called Aelod o'r Senedd.
Members of the Senedd are elected for 4 years in an additional members system - 40 AMs are elected by the plurality system, and represent the different areas of Wales. Another 20 AMs from 5 electoral regions are also elected, by the proportional representation system.
Welsh Parliament Media
Senedd, Welsh parliament, Cardiff Bay.
National Assembly for Wales office in Colwyn Bay
The Senedd's ceremonial mace sits in front of the Presiding Officer's desk in the Senedd chamber.
The Royal Badge of Wales appears on Acts of Senedd Cymru
Members of the Senedd during a plenary session in the Siambr
Plaid Cymru: 13 seats
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Related pages
References
- ↑ "Wales says Yes in referendum vote". BBC News. 4 March 2011. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-12648649.