Big Changes in Welsh Electoral Boundaries: What You Need to Know

In a significant move to reshape the electoral landscape in Wales, the Welsh Government has introduced the Senedd Constituencies (Wales) Regulations 2025. These regulations, effective from July 18, 2025, mark a major reorganisation of the Senedd electoral areas, affecting how representatives are elected in future Welsh Parliament elections.

Background and Purpose

The changes come following the final decisions of the Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales, announced on March 11, 2025. The Commission's recommendations aim to better align Senedd constituencies with the UK's parliamentary constituencies, reflecting changes in population and ensuring fairer representation.

What's Changing?

1. New Constituency Structure: Wales will now be divided into 16 Senedd constituencies. These new divisions are designed to correspond with specific pairs of UK parliamentary constituencies. The goal is to streamline and modernise electoral boundaries, making the political map more coherent.

2. Repeal of Previous Orders: The 2006 and 2011 Orders that previously defined the electoral constituencies and regions for the Welsh Assembly have been repealed. This effectively dissolves the old constituency setup, paving the way for the new structure.

3. Electoral Roll Adjustments: Electoral registration officers across Wales are required to update the electoral registers to reflect the new boundaries. This means voters might find themselves in a different constituency, depending on the new arrangements.

Implementation Timeline

The regulations were officially made on June 16, 2025, and laid before the Senedd on June 19, 2025. However, they will not impact any general election held before April 6, 2026. This gives time for all necessary adjustments to be made and for voters to be informed about their new constituencies.

No Regulatory Impact Assessment

Interestingly, the Welsh Government decided that a regulatory impact assessment was not necessary for these changes. This suggests confidence in the benefits of the changes outweighing any costs associated with implementation.

Conclusion

These changes represent a significant shift in how Wales is represented in its national parliament, aiming for improved representation that aligns more closely with demographic realities. The new arrangements promise a more streamlined electoral process, though voters will need to stay informed about how these changes affect them personally. As the new boundaries take effect, Welsh voters can look forward to elections that better reflect their communities' needs and compositions.