The constitution

Devolving more powers, independence, the new National Commission, relations with the UK Government and how the Senedd is elected.

In the Programme for Government this sits under the well-being objective Standing up for Wales and demanding fairness from Westminster.

ThemesEverything Independence More powers for Wales The National Commission Relations with the UK Government Senedd elections and reform

Statements and debates: 6; in the Seventh Senedd
Contributions: 879; in the Seventh Senedd
Written questions: 13; in the Seventh Senedd
Commitments raised: 9 of 10; in the Seventh Senedd

How often it comes up

May 2026Oct 2026

879 contributions in the Seventh Senedd touched on this. The busiest month was Oct 2026, with 476.

Who raises it

Plaid53%
Reform26%
Conservative11%
Labour9%
Lib Dem1%
Green0%

Share of the 626 contributions on this subject, by the speaker's party.

On this page

The debate so far
What the government has promised
From the Welsh Government
Key moments in the Senedd
Related votes
Who raises it
Who ministers have met
Declared interests
What people say matters
Written questions
Petitions
In committee
From Senedd Research
Latest contributions
Month by month
How this brief is put together

The debate so far

Since May 2026 the Senedd has argued about the Plaid Cymru Government's plan to seek more powers, mainly justice and policing, rail, the Crown Estate and fiscal powers. Reform UK and the Welsh Conservatives question the priority given to the constitution and independence. Other debates covered the new national commission, consent to UK Bills, and automatic voter registration and the electoral system.

The main arguments

First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru) named policing and justice, the Crown Estate and rail infrastructure as immediate priorities, with fair funding and fiscal flexibility. He said Wales should have at least the powers Scotland has where they improve outcomes. Contributions: [1]

What the government has promised

10 commitments in the Welsh Government's Programme for Government 2026 to 2030 fall under this brief, in the Programme's own words. Under each is how often it has been raised in the Seventh Senedd.

Demanding fairness from Westminster: Powers for a purpose

Establish a new National Commission for Wales to provide independent advice to the Welsh Government on Wales’s constitutional future, building on the work of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales. The commission will support an inclusive and informed national conversation, build the evidence base for debate and decision‑making, and provide advice on devolution priorities and wider constitutional reform.
Raised in 14 speeches, 1 agenda item and 3 written questions. Most recently on 12 October 2026, in a written question from John Clark. Matched on: “National Commission”.
Read it in the Programme
Formally request the devolution of the right to decide on the timeline, question, and process for an independence referendum.
Raised in 6 speeches and 1 written question. Most recently on 6 October 2026, by Iain McIntosh. Matched on: “independence referendum”.
Read it in the Programme
Pursue the full devolution of justice and policing to Wales with the urgency this deserves.
Raised in 28 speeches and 2 written questions. Most recently on 7 October 2026, by Delyth Jewell. Matched on: “devolution of justice”.
Read it in the ProgrammeAlso followed in: Policing and justice.
Formally request the full devolution of power over water in Wales.
Raised in 2 speeches. Most recently on 14 July 2026, by Lyn Ackerman. Matched on: “powers over water”.
Read it in the Programme
Work to secure devolution of powers for the Senedd to legislate to establish a new economic regulator and planning body for Wales, so all decisions about water are made in Wales for Wales.
Raised in 20 speeches and 1 written question. Most recently on 14 October 2026, by Llyr Gruffydd. Matched on: “water regulator”.
Read it in the Programme
Prioritise securing the devolution of the Crown Estate.
Raised in 32 speeches and 2 written questions. Most recently on 7 October 2026, by Alun Cox. Matched on: “Crown Estate”.
Read it in the Programme
Work towards the devolution of powers over broadcasting, including powers to regulate, supervise, and ensure accountability for broadcasting and communications in Wales. We will begin by establishing a Shadow Broadcasting and Communications Authority for Wales to protect and strengthen local and national public service media platforms.
Raised in 17 speeches. Most recently on 20 October 2026, by Ken Skates. Matched on: “devolution of broadcasting”.
Read it in the ProgrammeAlso followed in: Culture, sport and Wales in the world.
Pursue the full devolution of welfare powers.
Raised in 4 speeches. Most recently on 14 October 2026, by Elin Jones. Matched on: “devolution of welfare”.
Read it in the Programme
Pursue the devolution of further powers on energy regulation and pricing.
Raised in 3 speeches. Most recently on 13 October 2026, by Huw Thomas. Matched on: “Ofgem”.
Read it in the ProgrammeAlso followed in: Energy.
Pursue full devolution of port regulation.
Not raised in the Senedd in the Seventh Senedd so far.
Read it in the Programme

Source: Welsh Government, Programme for government 2026 to 2030: New ambition for Wales, first published on 10 September 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Mentions are found by matching the names of plans, bodies and schemes; a mention says nothing about progress.

Declared interests

Members whose entries in the Register of Members' Interests relate to this brief, matched by the brief's words and phrases. Members must register these interests, and having one doesn't mean anything improper.

Huw Irranca-Davies2 related entries
- Voluntary record of Members’ other interests: Information relevant to entry: All 2026 Senedd election expenses met by the Aberafan and Maesteg Constituency Labour Party and the Rhondda and Ogmore Labour Party, including…
- Voluntary record of Members’ other interests: Information relevant to entry: Member of Tata Transition Board in my role as MS for Afan Ogwr Rhondda - subject to confirmation by the Secretary of State for Wales.
Sarah Murphy2 related entries
- Voluntary record of Members’ other interests: Information relevant to entry: All 2026 Senedd election expenses paid by the Bridgend Constituency Labour Party and the Vale of Glamorgan Labour Party
- Voluntary record of Members’ other interests: Information relevant to entry: Unite the Union - Member
Jayne Bryant1 related entry
- Voluntary record of Members’ other interests: Information relevant to entry: 2026 Senedd election expenses met by Newport West and Islwyn and Newport East Constituency Labour Party which included donations from Unite and…
Nerys Evans1 related entry
- Voluntary record of Members’ other interests: Information relevant to entry: 100 per cent of campaign costs for 2026 Senedd Election paid for by Plaid Cymru Sir Gaerfyrddin.
Kerry Ferguson1 related entry
- Voluntary record of Members’ other interests: Information relevant to entry: Member - YesCymru
Lynne Neagle1 related entry
- Voluntary record of Members’ other interests: Information relevant to entry: Member - Unite the Union
Adam Price1 related entry
- Voluntary record of Members’ other interests: Information relevant to entry: 100 per cent of campaign costs for 2026 Senedd Election paid for by Plaid Cymru Sir Gaerfyrddin.
Ken Skates1 related entry
- Voluntary record of Members’ other interests: Information relevant to entry: Member of Unite the Union

The full register

Month by month

Contributions tagged in each month of the Seventh Senedd. No sittings were held in August 2026.

Show the numbers

Month	Contributions
May 2026	9
June 2026	104
July 2026	76
August 2026	No sittings
September 2026	214
October 2026	476

How this brief is put together

This brief follows the Programme commitments listed above and tags the record with the phrases below. Keyword matching can miss business that discusses the issue in other words, and can tag a passing mention.

Show the phrases it uses

A contribution is tagged when its English text contains one of these phrases. Capital letters don't matter, except in abbreviations, which must match exactly. It is also tagged when the title of the agenda item or question it was part of contains one, as long as the contribution is at least 30 words long. The brief is also tagged whenever one of its themes is.

Phrases for the brief as a whole

“constitution”
“constitutional”
“devolution”
“devolution settlement”
“the Union”
“the United Kingdom's constitution”

Independence

“Welsh independence”
“independence referendum”
“referendum on independence”
“an independent Wales”
“independent Wales”
“YesCymru”

More powers for Wales

“devolution of justice”
“devolution of policing”
“devolve justice”
“devolve policing”
“Crown Estate”
“devolution of broadcasting”
“broadcasting powers”
“devolution of water”
“devolve water”
“devolution of welfare”
“devolve welfare”
“further devolution”
“further powers”
“reserved powers”
“full devolution”
“devolution of rail”

The National Commission

“National Commission for Wales”
“National Commission”
“Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales”
“constitutional commission”
“constitutional future”
“national conversation”

Relations with the UK Government

“intergovernmental relations”
“inter-governmental relations”
“intergovernmental”
“Council of the Nations and Regions”
“Secretary of State for Wales”
“Wales Office”
“Sewel convention”
“legislative consent”
“legislative consent motion”
“Internal Market Act”
“UK Internal Market Act”
“power grab”

Abbreviations

“LCM”
“LCMs”

Senedd elections and reform

“Senedd reform”
“closed list”
“closed lists”
“electoral reform”
“electoral system”
“voting system”
“proportional representation”
“Senedd election”
“Senedd elections”
“votes at 16”
“Electoral Commission”
“Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections)”
“Elections and Elected Bodies”
“recall of Members”
“deception”

The debate so far

The main arguments

The debate so far

The main arguments

Where the parties stand

Plaid Cymru

Welsh Conservatives

Reform UK

Welsh Labour

Welsh Liberal Democrats

Wales Green Party

What the government is being pressed on

What the public is asking for

Who ministers are meeting

In the Sixth Senedd (2021 to 2026)

What the government has promised

Demanding fairness from Westminster: Powers for a purpose

From the Welsh Government

Key moments in the Senedd

Related votes

Legislative Consent Motion: Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill

Who raises it

Answering for the government

Which parties raise it

Members who raise it most

Who ministers have met

Declared interests

What people say matters

Written questions

Petitions

In committee

From Senedd Research

Latest contributions

Month by month

How this brief is put together

Phrases for the brief as a whole