Wales is a constituent nation of the United Kingdom, with Cardiff as its capital, a population of about 3.1 million, and Welsh and English as official languages. Since 1999, devolution has placed health, education, housing, local government and transport with Welsh institutions, while defence, Foreign Policy and most taxation stay at Westminster.

On 7 May 2026, Wales elected its enlarged 96-seat Senedd for the first time by closed-list proportional representation. The system makes Coalition arithmetic central to forming a Welsh Government. Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre reported on 1 April 2026 that Welsh voters were consolidating into a Welsh-left bloc around Plaid Cymru and a British-right bloc around Reform UK, which proportional seats translate more directly into the chamber.

The Welsh Revenue Authority is building out Welsh tax collection too: every paid overnight provider must register with the Welsh Revenue Authority by 31 March 2027, including spare rooms and campsites, whether or not a local visitor levy applies.

Key Issues

Senedd government

Plaid governs Wales as a minority

On 7 May 2026, Wales held its first election for a 96-seat Senedd under Closed-list proportional representation. The result ended Labour's 27-year hold on Welsh Government and left Plaid Cymru with 43 seats. On 12 May, Rhun ap Iorwerth became First Minister after two Wales Green members backed him without a written confidence-and-supply agreement, so contested business needs both Green votes.

On 22 September, the Welsh Government published six priorities for 2026 to 2030. The programme set no targets for waiting times or child poverty and named no partner party in the Senedd. Earlier, on 1 July, ap Iorwerth had defended a £145m NHS allocation and traced a shortfall of graduate nurses and midwives to training-place decisions made in 2022.

Common Questions

Reference

What electoral system does Wales now use for the Senedd?

From 2026 the Senedd uses closed-list D'Hondt proportional representation across 16 six-member constituencies, expanding the chamber from 60 to 96 seats. Voters choose a party, not a candidate; internal party list order determines WHO is elected.Source: event

When did Wales get devolution?

Wales has had devolved government since 1999, when the first elections to the National Assembly for Wales (now the Senedd) were held under the Government of Wales Act 1998.

How does Wales's government differ from England's?

Wales has a devolved Parliament, the Senedd, with 96 elected members and powers over health, education, housing, and local government. England has no equivalent devolved Parliament — Westminster acts as both the UK and English legislature for devolved matters.

What language is spoken in Wales?

Wales is officially bilingual. English is spoken by virtually all the population; approximately 20% of Welsh residents also speak Welsh. Welsh holds co-official status with English and is taught in all state schools.

Recently resolved

What new powers is Wales seeking from the UK government?

First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth laid out six constitutional demands on 19 May 2026: justice and policing, the Crown Estate, rail infrastructure, water, Social Security, and a fair funding formula. The Welsh Government won a youth justice concession in the same week, the first statutory power transfer to Wales since 1999.Source: event

Who is the First Minister of Wales after the 2026 election?

Rhun ap Iorwerth of Plaid Cymru became First Minister on 12 May 2026, the first non-Labour head of the Welsh Government since devolution. His minority government relies on confidence and supply from two Wales Green MSs.Source: event

How did Welsh Labour do in the 2026 Senedd election?

Welsh Labour won only 9 of 96 Senedd seats on 7 May 2026, the smallest Welsh Labour group in any devolved chamber since 1910. First Minister Eluned Morgan lost her own constituency seat, ending 27 years of continuous Labour government in Wales.Source: event

Source Material

Wales — Wikipedia