Expert Panel on Electoral Reform

Published 12/12/2017   |   Last Updated 11/04/2022   |   Reading Time minutes

The Expert Panel report on Assembly Electoral Reform* was published on 12 December 2017. ​​​ 

Background 

In November 2016, the Commission announced it would take forward work to address the capacity of the then Assembly. 

In February 2017 the Llywydd announced the establishment of an independent Expert Panel on Electoral Reform to provide robust, politically impartial advice on the number of Members needed to effectively represent the people of Wales, the most suitable electoral system, and the minimum voting age. 

Membership of the Panel 

The Panel was chaired by Professor Laura McAllister. The other Panel members were Professor Rosie Campbell, Professor Sarah Childs, Rob Clements, Professor David Farrell, Dr Alan Renwick and Sir Paul Silk. 

L-R: Rob Clements, Professor Sarah Childs, Professor Laura McAllister, Sir Evan Paul Silk KCB, Dr Alan Renwick, Professor David Farrell

(Image L-R: Rob Clements, Professor Sarah Childs, Professor Laura McAllister, Sir Evan Paul Silk KCB, Dr Alan Renwick, Professor David Farrell) 

The Panel had a wealth of expertise in the fields of electoral systems, parliamentary work and capacity, the constitutional position of the National Assembly, and wider issues of governance, including equalities, diversity and engagement. 

*Since the panel reported, the Assembly has changed its name to the Senedd but old references have been retained on this page.  

Meetings of the Expert Panel

14 February 2017

7 March 2017

21 April 2017

22-23 May 2017

12 June 2017

14 July 2017

22 September 2017

18-19 October 2017

Written Evidence  

The Expert Panel asked for written evidence on:  

  • issues relating to electoral areas, in particular co-terminosity with Westminster constituencies; 
  • the minimum voting age for Assembly elections; and 
  • the capacity and size of the Assembly, and the appropriate electoral system by which Members should be elected. 

The Panel considered the following responses:

Report 

The Expert Panel reported in December 2017 and a number of its recommendations were taken forward as part of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 ahead of the 2021 Senedd Elections.