The 2026 Senedd election has led to the biggest change in the composition of the Welsh Parliament since the start of devolution. The expansion of the Senedd to 96 Members, together with the introduction of a more proportional electoral system, has created a more politically diverse Chamber, with no party holding an overall majority.

The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the new composition of the Senedd.

As Plaid Cymru becomes the largest party in the Senedd for the first time since devolution, its leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has declared his intention to secure the role of First Minister.

Reform UK has also gained significant representation in the Senedd for the first time, enough to form the opposition, while Labour has seen a dramatic reduction in its number of seats. Meanwhile, the Conservatives have also lost ground, and the Liberal Democrats remain with one elected member with the Greens also winning two seats for the first time.

The Senedd is expected to operate in a more collaborative and negotiated political environment. However, with major policy differences between the centre-left parties and Reform, this will not be easy to achieve.

Building coalitions and working together on specific issues will play a more important role in forming and sustaining the next Welsh Government. Smaller parties and individual groups may have greater influence over legislation and policy priorities than in previous Senedds.

The intention behind the new electoral arrangements was to make the Senedd more representative of votes cast across Wales. The results suggest that the balance of seats reflects the national share of the vote more closely than under the previous system.

Dr Cynan Llwyd, General Secretary of Cytûn said: “Churches Together in Wales offers its congratulations to Plaid Cymru on its victory in the 2026 Senedd election, and to Rhun ap Iorwerth as he prepares to serve as First Minister of Wales.

At this moment of change in our national life, we pray for him, for all elected Members of the Senedd, and for all who carry the responsibilities of public service. We ask God to grant wisdom, humility and courage, and to strengthen every effort made for the common good.

The churches of Wales stand ready to work constructively with the new Welsh Government and with partners across society to foster unity, cooperation and hope. We particularly welcome the call to “uncompromising compassion”, and pray that this spirit will shape public life in Wales in the years ahead.”

As Wales goes to the polls today in the 2026 Senedd election, Cytûn: Churches Together in Wales is inviting churches, communities and voters to reflect on the Christian calling to unity.

In a new video message recorded for election day, Dr Cynan Llwyd, General Secretary of Cytûn, draws on the words of Ephesians 4, encouraging people across Wales to seek humility, patience and peace at a time of political choice and public debate.

Dr Llwyd reminds viewers that elections matter deeply, shaping the life of our communities and the future direction of Wales. But he also calls Christians, churches and all people of goodwill to resist division, listen generously, and work together for the common good beyond polling day.

Cytûn encourages everyone to watch the message, to pray for Wales, and to hold elected representatives, candidates and communities in prayer as the democratic process unfolds.

As the Senedd election approaches, Cytûn has been engaging with candidates from across the political spectrum, inviting them to reflect not only on their party priorities but also on the values and experiences that shape their approach to public life. These conversations aim to encourage deeper engagement with the choices facing voters, and to highlight the importance of thoughtful, values-driven leadership in Wales.

Throughout this series, the focus has been on looking beyond headlines to consider how political commitments connect with the wellbeing of communities, the pursuit of justice, and the responsibilities of those seeking office. At a time when public debate can often feel polarised or superficial, creating space for more reflective discussion is both timely and necessary.

We now bring this series to a close with our final interview, featuring Joe Carter of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. In this conversation, we continue to explore the motivations, priorities, and perspectives that underpin his candidacy, offering readers an opportunity to consider how these align with the challenges and opportunities facing Wales today.

As polling day draws nearer, we hope this interview, along with the wider series, supports informed participation and thoughtful reflection among all those preparing to cast their vote.

Read a comparative analysis of the parties’ manifestos via this link.

With every main party’s manifesto now published, Cytûn has released an updated analysis of party positions to help faith communities engage with the Senedd election on 7 May — and reminds voters that independents and smaller parties will also be on the ballot.

Now that all six of the main parties contesting the Senedd election on 7 May 2026 have published their full manifestos, Cytûn – Churches Together in Wales has released a Senedd Election 2026 Manifesto Briefing Update — a detailed supplement to the document published in March 2026.

The original briefing drew on pre-manifesto policy signals and party commitments available at that time. The update reviews the completed manifestos in full, together with independent economic analysis — including assessments by the Institute for Fiscal Studies — to offer a sharper and more comprehensive comparison of what each party is actually promising.

What’s new in the update?

The update examines all six parties across Cytûn’s five priority policy areas: Health, Education, the Economy, International Affairs and Climate Change, and the Church and the Citizen.

On health, NHS waiting times dominate every party’s agenda. Labour proposes a £4 billion Hospitals of the Future Fund; Plaid Cymru sets specific waiting time targets; the Conservatives would declare a health emergency on taking office; the Liberal Democrats would invest £300 million in social care funded by a 1p income tax rise; and the Greens place prevention and early intervention at the centre of their health vision. Reform UK commits to cutting waiting times through efficiency savings.

On the economy, the sharpest divergences concern taxation. The Welsh Conservatives propose a 1p cut to the basic rate of income tax and the abolition of Land Transaction Tax on home purchases — commitments the Institute for Fiscal Studies has described as difficult to reconcile with the party’s wider spending plans. The Liberal Democrats are the only party proposing a tax rise. The Greens propose replacing council tax entirely with a Land Value Tax.

On the Nation of Sanctuary — Wales’s framework of support for refugees and asylum seekers — Labour, Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats, and the Greens all support maintaining and developing the policy, while the Conservatives and Reform UK have both pledged to scrap it. Members should be aware that most immigration pledges in this election cannot be delivered by the Senedd, as immigration remains a reserved matter for Westminster.

Hear from the parties directly

Cytûn has published interviews with representatives of five of the six main parties, exploring their positions on issues of concern to faith communities in Wales. The interviews are available now:

Peredur Owen Griffiths Plaid Cymru

Darren Millar Conservative

Paul Rock The Green Party

James Evans Reform UK

Huw Thomas Labour

An interview with a Welsh Liberal Democrat representative is currently being arranged and will be published on the website in due course.

Cytûn encourages readers to engage with all of the interviews as part of their prayerful reflection ahead of polling day on 7 May.

Who will be on your ballot paper?

While the six main parties — Wales Labour, Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Conservatives, the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, and the Wales Green Party — have all published full manifestos and are contesting seats across Wales, voters may find candidates from a wider range of political viewpoints on their ballot papers. Smaller parties and independent candidates will be standing in constituencies across Wales and, under the new proportional system, their votes carry real weight.

This is the first Senedd election held under a proportional system: 96 Members will be elected across 16 six-member constituencies using the D’Hondt method. No single party is expected to win an overall majority, meaning that the priorities of smaller parties and independents may prove decisive in shaping the next Welsh Government.

To find out who is standing in your constituency — including all smaller party and independent candidates — visit whocanivotefor.wales, an independent, non-partisan resource listing every candidate on the ballot in your area.

Engaging prayerfully and thoughtfully

Cytûn does not endorse any party or candidate. These briefings exist to help denominational leaders, local church communities, and individual members of faith to engage with this election thoughtfully, prayerfully, and well-informed. Faith communities are encouraged to host or attend hustings events with candidates from across the parties, to use this briefing as the basis for group discussion, reflection, or prayer, and to encourage all eligible members to exercise their democratic right and vote on 7 May 2026. The full Senedd Election 2026 Manifesto Briefing Update is available at www.cytun.co.uk. For further information, contact post@cytun.cymru.

These interviews offer a space for candidates to reflect on matters of faith, values, and public life – exploring how their beliefs and convictions shape their approach to serving the people of Wales. In an election widely regarded as the most consequential for Welsh politics since the Senedd was established in 1999, Cytûn believes it is more important than ever to create space for these deeper conversations – conversations that go beyond the manifesto and the soundbite to ask what candidates truly believe, and why.

With the formal campaign period now under way and polling day on 7 May just weeks away, this interview is one of the last in our current series before Wales goes to the polls. We are grateful to all the candidates who have given their time to take part in what we hope has been a valuable contribution to public life in Wales during this crucial period.

This interview sees Cytûn’s General Secretary, Dr Cynan Llwyd, in conversation with Huw Thomas, Welsh Labour candidate for Caerdydd Penarth. The interviews in this series have already brought thoughtful and candid exchanges with candidates from Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Conservatives, the Green Party, and Reform UK, and we are glad to continue that spirit of open, respectful dialogue across the political spectrum.

Huw Thomas is a Welsh Labour politician whose background will be familiar to many in the faith community. Originally from Aberystwyth and a fluent Welsh speaker, he studied Music at Oxford University before completing a Masters in International Relations at Aberystwyth University. Before entering politics he worked in the third sector, including for the sustainable travel organisation Sustrans and as Head of Christian Aid Wales. He has been a Cardiff Councillor for the Splott ward since 2012 and Leader of Cardiff Council since 2017.

In this interview, Dr Cynan Llwyd invites Huw to reflect on the values that have shaped his journey from the third sector into elected office. Among the most striking threads of the conversation is the question of what his years working for Christian Aid – an organisation rooted in the shared witness of the churches – meant for his understanding of justice, community, and public responsibility. Huw speaks with candour about how that experience of working alongside faith communities, both in Wales and internationally, formed his conviction that politics must be about more than the transactional, and must ask deeper questions about what kind of society we are building together.

The conversation also explores what Huw believes the new Senedd must prioritise for the people of Caerdydd Penarth and Wales more broadly, and how he sees the relationship between faith communities and democratic life in a changing Wales.

Part of a Wider Programme

This interview is part of a series Cytûn has been publishing in the weeks leading up to polling day on 7 May 2026. We have reached out to candidates from a range of parties and constituencies throughout the campaign, and we hope this series has made a valuable contribution to public life in Wales during this crucial period.

The interviews form part of Cytûn’s Public Theology Programme – an ongoing commitment that extends well beyond election season. Through this programme, Cytûn works to equip the ecumenical Christian community across Wales to engage meaningfully with democratic institutions, political parties, and the full breadth of issues devolved to the Welsh Government and scrutinised by the Senedd – from health and education, to housing, the environment, and social justice. Our aim is not to tell people how to vote, but to help Christians across Wales to listen carefully, ask good questions, and engage as informed and active citizens in the life of our nation.

Get Involved

We welcome responses and reflections from churches and individuals across Wales. If you have questions you would like to see put to candidates in future interviews, or if you are involved in organising a hustings event and would like support from Cytûn, please get in touch at post@cytun.cymru.

These interviews offer a space for candidates to reflect on matters of faith, values, and public life – exploring how their beliefs and convictions shape their approach to serving the people of Wales. In an election widely regarded as the most consequential for Welsh politics since the Senedd was established in 1999, Cytûn believes it is more important than ever to create space for these deeper conversations – conversations that go beyond the manifesto and the soundbite to ask what candidates truly believe, and why.

This interview sees Cytûn’s General Secretary, Dr Cynan Llwyd, in conversation with James Evans, candidate for Reform UK. The interviews in this series have already brought thoughtful and candid exchanges with candidates from Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Conservatives, and the Green Party, and we are glad to continue that spirit of open, respectful dialogue across the political spectrum.

In this interview, Dr Cynan Llwyd invites James to reflect on the convictions that underpin his political life. Amongst the most candid and personal moments of the conversation is James’s account of his own faith journey – a thread that, he explains, has shaped both his values and his sense of vocation in public service. The conversation also explores what he believes Wales needs from its next Senedd, and how he sees the role of faith communities in the life of the nation.

Part of a Wider Programme

This interview is part of a series Cytûn will be publishing in the weeks leading up to polling day on 7 May 2026. We are reaching out to candidates from a range of parties and constituencies, and we hope to share further interviews in the coming weeks.

The interviews form part of Cytûn’s Public Theology Programme – an ongoing commitment that extends well beyond election season. Through this programme, Cytûn works to equip the ecumenical Christian community across Wales to engage meaningfully with democratic institutions, political parties, and the full breadth of issues devolved to the Welsh Government and scrutinised by the Senedd – from health and education, to housing, the environment, and social justice.
Our aim is not to tell people how to vote, but to help Christians across Wales to listen carefully, ask good questions, and engage as informed and active citizens in the life of our nation.

Get Involved

We welcome responses and reflections from churches and individuals across Wales. If you have questions you would like to see put to candidates in future interviews, or if you are involved in organising a hustings event and would like support from Cytûn, please get in touch at post@cytun.cymru.

These interviews offer a space for candidates to reflect on matters of faith, values, and public life – exploring how their beliefs and convictions shape their approach to serving the people of Wales. In an election widely regarded as the most consequential for Welsh politics since the Senedd was established in 1999, Cytun believes it is more important than ever to create space for these deeper conversations – conversations that go beyond the manifesto and the soundbite to ask what candidates truly believe, and why.

This third interview in the series sees Cytun’s General Secretary, Dr Cynan Llwyd, in conversation with Paul Rock, candidate for the Green Party of England and Wales. The interviews in this series have already brought thoughtful and candid exchanges with candidates from Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives, and we are glad to continue that spirit of open, respectful dialogue across the political spectrum.

Paul is no stranger to community politics in the area. Having made Llandaff North his home after moving to Wales, he has spent a number of years as an active and well-regarded figure in local community life. Paul has built a life in Llandaff North and has, over the years, dedicated considerable time to working on local causes to make a real difference to the lives of local people. That commitment to grassroots engagement has been a hallmark of his approach – he is known locally not as a career politician but as someone who has rolled up his sleeves in the community long before seeking elected office. He previously stood as a council candidate for Llandaff North under the Common Ground Alliance – the electoral partnership between the Green Party and Plaid Cymru formed for the 2022 Cardiff Council elections – demonstrating a commitment to collaborative, values-driven politics.

In this interview, Dr Cynan Llwyd explores with Paul how that faith informs his political convictions, what he believes Wales needs from its next Senedd, and why – as someone who chose to make Wales his home – he is passionate about its future. The conversation also touches on the particular significance of this election: the first fought under proportional representation, and the first in which the new voting system gives the Greens a genuine opportunity to elect candidates across Wales ready to work for the changes they believe are urgently needed.

Part of a Wider Programme

This interview is the third in a series Cytun will be publishing in the weeks leading up to polling day on 7 May 2026. We are reaching out to candidates from a range of parties and constituencies, and we hope to share further interviews in the coming weeks.

The interviews form part of Cytun’s Public Theology Programme – an ongoing commitment that extends well beyond election season. Through this programme, Cytun works to equip the ecumenical Christian community across Wales to engage meaningfully with democratic institutions, political parties, and the full breadth of issues devolved to the Welsh Government and scrutinised by the Senedd – from health and education, to housing, the environment, and social justice.

Our aim is not to tell people how to vote, but to help Christians across Wales to listen carefully, ask good questions, and engage as informed and active citizens in the life of our nation.

Get Involved

We welcome responses and reflections from churches and individuals across Wales. If you have questions you would like to see put to candidates in future interviews, or if you are involved in organising a hustings event and would like support from Cytun, please get in touch at post@cytun.cymru.

With seven weeks to go until Wales goes to the polls on 7 May, Dr Cynan Llwyd continues our series of Candidate Interviews for the Senedd Election.

Cytun – Churches Together in Wales is pleased to share the second in our series of video interviews with candidates standing in the 2026 Senedd election. We speak with Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, and the number one candidate on the Welsh Conservative list for the new Clwyd constituency.

Darren Millar has served as a Member of the Senedd for Clwyd West since 2007, now in his fourth term. Over that time, he has held a range of prominent roles, including Chief Whip, Shadow Minister for the Constitution and North Wales, and Chair of the Senedd’s influential Public Accounts Committee. Since December 2024, he has led the Welsh Conservatives, serving also as Leader of the Opposition in Wales until January 2026.

His background brings together varied professional experience and a deep personal faith: before entering politics, he worked as an accountant in the Rhyl and Ruthin area, then as a manager for an international charity supporting persecuted Christians around the world – an experience that shaped a lasting commitment to questions of human dignity, freedom of conscience, and global responsibility. A committed Christian, he was commissioned as a Minister by the Assemblies of God in Great Britain in May 2015, and is a founding Chair of both the Senedd’s Cross-Party Group on Faith and its Cross-Party Group on the Armed Forces and Cadets. He grew up in Towyn and now lives in Kinmel Bay with his wife Rebekah and their two children.

Part of a Wider Programme

This interview is the second in a series Cytun will be publishing in the weeks leading up to polling day on 7 May 2026. We are reaching out to candidates from a range of parties and constituencies, and we hope to share further interviews in the coming weeks.

The interviews form part of Cytun’s Public Theology Programme – an ongoing commitment that extends well beyond election season. Through this programme, Cytun works to equip the ecumenical Christian community across Wales to engage meaningfully with democratic institutions, political parties, and the full breadth of issues devolved to the Welsh Government and scrutinised by the Senedd – from health and education, to housing, the environment, and social justice.

Our aim is not to tell people how to vote, but to help Christians across Wales to listen carefully, ask good questions, and engage as informed and active citizens in the life of our nation.

Get Involved

We welcome responses and reflections from churches and individuals across Wales. If you have questions you would like to see put to candidates in future interviews, or if you are involved in organising a hustings event and would like support from Cytun, please get in touch at post@cytun.cymru.

Cytûn – Churches Together in Wales is pleased to share the first in our series of video interviews with candidates standing in the 2026 Senedd election. We begin by speaking with Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, Plaid Cymru’s candidate for the new Casnewydd Islwyn constituency.

Peredur Owen Griffiths has served as a Member of the Senedd for the South Wales East region since 2021, where he has chaired the Senedd Finance Committee and served on a number of other scrutiny committees. His background is as varied as it is relevant: before entering politics, he worked in financial services for thirteen years, including as a bank manager for Santander and with Principality Building Society, before making a significant shift to work with Christian Aid as Regional Co-ordinator for South Wales and Legacy Officer for Wales. He is also the son of a minister, having grown up in communities across Wales — a background that brings a distinctive perspective to questions of faith, public life, and civic responsibility.

Part of a Wider Programme

This interview is the first in a series Cytûn will be publishing in the weeks leading up to polling day on 7 May 2026. We are reaching out to candidates from a range of parties and constituencies, and we hope to share further interviews in the coming weeks.

The interviews form part of Cytûn’s Public Theology Programme — an ongoing commitment that extends well beyond election season. Through this programme, Cytûn works to equip the ecumenical Christian community across Wales to engage meaningfully with democratic institutions, political parties, and the full breadth of issues devolved to the Welsh Government and scrutinised by the Senedd — from health and education, to housing, the environment, and social justice.

Our aim is not to tell people how to vote, but to help Christians across Wales to listen carefully, ask good questions, and engage as informed and active citizens in the life of our nation.

Get Involved

We welcome responses and reflections from churches and individuals across Wales. If you have questions you would like to see put to candidates in future interviews, or if you are involved in organising a hustings event and would like support from Cytûn, please get in touch at post@cytun.cymru.

What’s different about this election?

This is the biggest change to Welsh elections since devolution began in 1999. For the first time, the Senedd will have 96 Members — up from 60 — and they will be elected by a system of proportional representation. That means the results are likely to be much more spread out between the parties, and no single party is likely to win outright. Whoever governs Wales after 7 May will almost certainly need to work with others to do so. If you are 16 or over, you can vote.

Who’s standing, and what are they offering?

A wide range of political parties and independent candidates will be standing for election. Here is a brief over view of the policy priorities of the six main parties which are likely to return candidates as Members of the Senedd following the vote.

Wales Labour want to invest £4 billion in rebuilding and upgrading NHS hospitals, expand same-day mental health services, and introduce cheaper bus fares. They are the current government but are facing their toughest election for a generation.

Plaid Cymru are polling strongly and are promising action on child poverty, stronger support for the Welsh language, and investment in the rural economy. They have set aside any prospect of a referendum on Welsh independence during a first term.

The Welsh Conservatives are focusing on economic growth — promising to cut income tax, build new roads including the M4 relief road, and invest in the NHS. Independent economists have raised questions about whether the numbers add up.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are putting the NHS and social care at the heart of their campaign, and are the only party honestly saying they would raise income tax slightly to pay for it.

Reform UK are polling very highly and have made immigration the centrepiece of their campaign — though most of their immigration policies are actually decisions for Westminster, not the Senedd. Their most clearly devolved pledge is to scrap the 20mph speed limit.

The Wales Green Party are entering the Senedd for the first time with a real chance of winning seats. They are proposing ambitious action on climate change, free public transport for young people, and a fairer economy — linking the cost of living with the need to look after the planet.

What should faith communities be looking for?

Cytûn has produced a full briefing setting out where all six main parties stand on the issues that matter most to churches and faith communities: health and social care, poverty and the cost of living, housing, education, the environment, and Wales’s responsibilities to refugees and asylum seekers.

One important thing to be aware of is that several parties have made promises in their manifestos about things the Senedd cannot actually control — particularly on immigration, welfare benefits, and overseas aid. These are decisions for the UK Government in Westminster, not the Welsh Government. It doesn’t mean those issues don’t matter — they do — but it’s worth knowing which promises a Welsh Government can actually keep.

What does Cytûn ask of its members?
Cytûn does not tell anyone how to vote. What we do ask is that you engage thoughtfully, prayerfully, and with as much information as possible.

Follow the Cytûn website for updates and online resources
Pray for candidates, for the people of Wales, and for wisdom.
Vote on 7 May 2026.