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][2][3]
Cabinet Minister Dafydd Trystan Davies (Plaid Cymru) said the national commission will oversee devolution, hold a national conversation and build on the Silk, Thomas and independent commissions. Jane Dodds (Welsh Liberal Democrats) and Iain McIntosh (Reform UK) questioned its need and cost. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Adrian Mason (Reform UK) asked for no constitutional change without public consent. Sam Rowlands and Janet Finch-Saunders (Welsh Conservatives) said independence has low support and the NHS, schools and economy should come first. Rhun ap Iorwerth said powers are tools to deliver on those services. Contributions: [1][2][3][4][5]
Dafydd Trystan Davies, Marc Jones (Plaid Cymru) and Counsel General Elfyn Llwyd cited the Silk, Thomas and independent commissions for devolving justice and policing. Mike Hedges (Welsh Labour) and Jane Dodds agreed. Cristiana Emsley (Reform UK) asked what test devolving youth justice must meet. Contributions: [1][2][3][4][5][6]
Deputy Minister Mark Hooper (Plaid Cymru) set out a pathway to devolving rail, saying Wales has about 10 per cent of the network but a small share of enhancement spending. Jason O'Connell and Adrian Mason (Reform UK) opposed it. Mike Hedges asked how funding should be calculated. Contributions: [1][2][3][4][5]
On funding, Rhun ap Iorwerth said limits on the Wales reserve and borrowing hold Wales back. Huw Thomas (Welsh Labour) backed more borrowing powers but stressed the union. Benjamin Hodge Mckenna (Reform UK) cited Institute for Fiscal Studies warnings on changing Barnett. Anthony Slaughter (Wales Green Party) called Barnett unfair. Contributions: [1][2][3][4][5]
On elections, Darren Millar (Welsh Conservatives) raised an accountability gap because voters cannot back individual candidates. Peter Fox (Welsh Conservatives) pressed safeguarding in the 28-day opt-out for automatic registration. Shav Taj (Welsh Labour) asked if public explanation of the new system fell short. Contributions: [1][2][3][4][5]
Where the parties stand
Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru Members, in Government, seek devolution of justice and policing, rail, the Crown Estate and fiscal powers, a national commission, and strengthened consent for UK legislation. They say powers are for delivering better services. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Welsh Conservatives
Welsh Conservatives, including Peter Fox, Sam Rowlands and Janet Finch-Saunders, say Plaid is too focused on devolution and independence. Paul Davies said his party does not support devolving broadcasting. Darren Millar raised voter choice in the new electoral system. Contributions: [1][2][3][4][5]
Reform UK
Reform UK Members oppose further devolution of rail and ask for public consent before constitutional change. Dan Thomas said voters are concerned with the NHS and cost of living. Helen Jenner said Reform believes in a strong Wales in a strong United Kingdom. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Welsh Labour
Welsh Labour Members back devolving rail and policing (Mike Hedges) and more borrowing powers (Huw Thomas). They stress the benefits of the union and ask for Barnett reform. Shav Taj questioned the number of commissions and reviews. Contributions: [1][2][3][4][5]
Welsh Liberal Democrats
Jane Dodds supports devolving justice, policing and rail, citing women held in English prisons. She is concerned that another constitutional commission repeats the last one's findings. Contributions: [1][2][3]
Wales Green Party
Anthony Slaughter supports improved fiscal arrangements and increased borrowing powers, calling the Barnett formula unfair in design. Contributions: [1]
What the government is being pressed on
Why a new commission, at what cost and with what membership? Iain McIntosh (Reform UK) and Jane Dodds asked. Dafydd Trystan Davies said the last commission cost £1.5 million, a budget line exists, and the new one will build on earlier work and fill gaps. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Will there be no constitutional change or further devolution without public consent? Adrian Mason (Reform UK) asked. Dafydd Trystan Davies replied that he seeks powers for a purpose, where he can show clear improvement, such as water, rail or policing. Contributions: [1][2]
What is the plan and timetable for justice and policing powers? Jane Dodds asked. Dafydd Trystan Davies and Elfyn Llwyd said the First Minister has told the Prime Minister it is a priority, with the police reform Bill as an opportunity. Contributions: [1][2][3]
Does the Welsh Government have the capability to run rail, and how would liabilities be split? Jason O'Connell and Adrian Mason asked. Mark Hooper said the test is better journeys, and that projects are ready if funding is secured. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Why do Welsh Government legislative consent memoranda omit a recommendation? Cristiana Emsley (Reform UK), Legislation Committee Chair, asked. Sioned Williams (Plaid Cymru) said early laying matters and committees are updated when positions are reached; Elfyn Llwyd stressed early engagement with London. Contributions: [1][2][3]
What the public is asking for
One open petition asks for the Single Transferable Vote to be introduced for future Senedd elections. It has 45 signatures.
Who ministers are meeting
Ministers have met UK Government ministers and the Secretary of State for Wales, the Crown Estate and its expert group, the Law Society, the Electoral Commission and YesCymru.
In the Sixth Senedd (2021 to 2026)
From the previous Senedd's record, for issues that run across both. The rest of this analysis covers the Seventh Senedd only.
In the Sixth Senedd, debate centred on the 2024 independent commission report, the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and automatic voter registration. Labour and Plaid Cymru backed a larger Senedd elected by closed lists. The Conservatives opposed the increase, and the Liberal Democrats pressed for a different system.
On the commission's report, Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru) called it a turning point. Mark Drakeford (Welsh Labour) said the constitution underpins public services. Mark Isherwood (Welsh Conservatives) said further devolution was unnecessary and unsafe. Contributions: [1][2][3]
On the voting system, Darren Millar (Welsh Conservatives) called closed lists a power grab by parties. Jane Dodds (Welsh Liberal Democrats) said no expert backed them. Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru) said the choice was this package or nothing. Contributions: [1][2][3]
On Senedd size, Mike Hedges (Welsh Labour) said 96 Members would sit between Scotland and Northern Ireland in electors per Member. Darren Millar said Wales needs more doctors and nurses, not more politicians. Contributions: [1][2]
On the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill, Mick Antoniw (Welsh Labour) said pilots of automatic registration would cover diverse areas. Sam Rowlands (Welsh Conservatives) raised the right to choose whether to take part. Contributions: [1][2]
Written by AI on 23 October 2026 from 232 contributions in the Senedd between 12 May 2026 and 20 October 2026, with the petitions and ministers' meetings on this brief. Each point links to the contributions it draws on; check them before quoting. How the analysis is written.
What the government has promised
The Programme for Government 2026 to 2030 belongs to the Seventh Senedd. Choose the Seventh Senedd to see how often each commitment has come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
From the Welsh Government
The Welsh Government's latest press releases and Cabinet statements on this brief.
Each bar is the share of that party's speeches and questions in the Sixth Senedd that touched this brief, so large and small parties can be compared. The upright line marks the chamber as a whole: 0.31%.
Ministers' meetings with outside organisations and their engagements on this brief, from the register the Welsh Government publishes every three months. 1 since the 2026 election:
07/12//2022
Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales: launch of Interim Report
23% of Welsh adults said the constitutional future of Wales or Welsh independence would be very important to their vote.
Ipsos asked 747 Welsh adults aged 16+ between 2 April 2026 and 8 April 2026, before the 2026 Senedd election. People could choose as many issues as they liked. More on public opinion.
Written questions
No written questions on this brief in the Sixth Senedd yet.
Petitions
No petitions on this brief opened in the Sixth Senedd.
In committee
No committee sessions on this brief in the Sixth Senedd yet.
Latest contributions
130 contributions in the Sixth Senedd, newest first.
Tagged for: “Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales”, “constitutional future”, “constitutional commission”, “national commission”Translated from WelshOfficial Record
Tagged for: “national conversation”Translated from WelshOfficial Record
Month by month
45
0
202420252026
Contributions tagged in each month of the Sixth Senedd. No sittings were held in December 2024, February 2025, March 2025, April 2025, May 2025, June 2025, July 2025, August 2025, September 2025, October 2025, November 2025 and December 2025.Show the numbers
Month
Contributions
January 2024
45
February 2024
10
March 2024
24
April 2024
1
May 2024
13
June 2024
12
July 2024
13
August 2024
0
September 2024
7
October 2024
4
November 2024
1
December 2024
No sittings
January 2025
0
February 2025
No sittings
March 2025
No sittings
April 2025
No sittings
May 2025
No sittings
June 2025
No sittings
July 2025
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.
