What is the Senedd?

In 1997, Wales voted to move some powers from the UK Parliament to a National Assembly for Wales. This is called devolution.

A lot has changed since the first Assembly elections in 1999. The National Assembly for Wales is now called the Senedd, or Welsh Parliament.

In 2011, there was another referendum and people in Wales voted to give the Senedd the power to make its own laws.

Members of the Senedd meet in Cardiff Bay to debate and vote on laws, set some taxes for Wales and scrutinise the work of the Welsh Government.

The number of Members of the Senedd is changing from 60 to 96 at the election on 7 May. There's a page on this website that explains the voting system.

Members of the Senedd (also called MS) are elected to represent people in Wales' 16 constituencies.

They meet twice a week in the Siambr (debating chamber) to speak in debates, question Welsh Government ministers and vote on laws.

Debates are chaired by the Llywydd (Presiding Officer). The Llywydd is a Member of the Senedd whose job is to manage debates and represent the Senedd.

The Llywydd is usually a member of a political party but they are politically neutral in the Senedd. The Llywydd is chosen by a vote of the Members of the Senedd.

The Senedd is made up of everyone who has been elected as a Member of the Senedd.

Members of the Senedd come from different political parties. Independent candidates can also be Members of the Senedd.

The Senedd includes the Welsh Government and the opposition (the political parties and independent Members that are not part of the party or parties in government).

The Welsh Government is the political party or parties that are in charge of Wales' public services and propose Wales' budget. To form the Welsh Government, a political party or parties need more than half of the Members of the Senedd to vote for their leader to be the First Minister.

Political parties usually have to work together to form the Welsh Government. The voting system for Senedd elections means it's unlikely for one party to win more than half the seats. This can be a coalition, where 2 or more parties share power, or a more informal agreement where parties agree to vote to support the government on some issues, and get support for some things they want in return.

The Welsh Government is led by the First Minister. The First Minister is usually the leader of one of the largest political parties in the Senedd. They are elected by Members of the Senedd, and officially appointed by the King.

The First Minister chooses ministers, also Members of the Senedd, to be in charge of things like health, transport, and education.

A Member of the Senedd's job is to represent people in their constituency (voting area).

In the Senedd, Members of the Senedd can ask questions to the Welsh Government, take part in debates, and sit on committees where they look at different policies and the work of the Welsh Government.

Members of the Senedd can also talk about local issues in the Senedd, and sometimes they can propose their own new laws.

You can read more about what the Senedd does on this website.

You can contact your Member of the Senedd and ask them to ask a question for you in the Senedd.

In their constituencies (voting areas), Members of the Senedd can represent you by trying to help with any problems you're facing with things like GP or hospital services, schools, or housing.

They also take part in local events and try to get the Welsh Government to make changes that would help their constituency.