Latest news with #Welsh-only
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What's your Senedd constituency?
On 7 May 2026, voters in Wales will head to the polls for the next Senedd election. It is likely to be one of the most consequential elections to Cardiff Bay since the National Assembly for Wales was established in 1999. A brand new set of constituencies has been created for this election as part of wider changes to the way the Senedd is elected. Here's a brief guide to the new electoral map. What's changing? Currently the Senedd has 60 members. Forty of them are elected to represent individual constituencies. The remaining 20 are regional Members of the Senedd (MS), with four politicians elected from each of the five electoral regions across Wales. But next year the total number of MSs in Cardiff Bay is increasing to 96, and the electoral map is being completely redrawn. The existing constituencies and regions will all go. They'll be replaced with 16 new, larger constituencies and each one will be represented by six MSs. What are the new constituencies? [BBC] Some of the new constituencies are vast, with Gwynedd Maldwyn stretching from the westernmost tip of the Llyn Peninsula all the way to the border with England. Here's the full list of the new constituencies: Bangor Conwy Môn Clwyd Fflint Wrecsam Gwynedd Maldwyn Ceredigion Penfro Sir Gaerfyrddin Gŵyr Abertawe Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd Afan Ogwr Rhondda Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni Sir Fynwy Torfaen Casnewydd Islwyn Caerdydd Penarth Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg How were the new seats decided? The new map has been drawn up by Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru. Because of a lack of time ahead of the next Senedd election, the commission was told to take the 32 Welsh constituencies used at the last Westminster election and pair them up to create 16 new super-constituencies. The commission was told the paired-up seats had to be "contiguous", and it interpreted this to mean that there had to be a direct road link between them. The commission will be able to review the map following the election and consider changes ahead of the next vote in 2030. Under the new system there will be 16 constituencies, each represented by six MSs [Getty Images] Why do constituencies only have Welsh language names? The commission was asked to try to come up with a single name for each of the new constituencies. It believes the names chosen "are acceptable and recognisable for people across Wales". However, while language campaigners have welcomed the decision to use Welsh-only names, others have criticised it. Welsh Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies said that because Wales is a bilingual country, the constituency names "should be in both languages".
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Wales captain Ken Owens considering Labour run
Former Wales rugby captain Ken Owens is considering standing for Labour at next year's Senedd election, BBC Wales has been told. The 38-year-old is weighing up whether to run in the new Sir Gaerfyrddin constituency. Labour does not have a lead candidate there after the Llanelli Member of the Senedd (MS) Lee Waters and Mid and West Wales MS Joyce Watson announced their intention to stand down ahead of the election. Carmarthen-born Owens has been a public supporter of Labour, having appeared at a rally in Carmarthenshire with Keir Starmer and First Minister Eluned Morgan on the eve of last year's general election. Senedd election could be 'most difficult' for Labour Huge seat part of plans for more Senedd politicians Welsh-only names for all Senedd seats in 2026 The 38-year-old won 91 caps for Wales and played five tests for the British and Irish Lions. Aside from his on-field achievements Owens also became heavily involved in the political side of Welsh rugby, a subject never far from the headlines. He played what was described as a "pivotal" role in averting a players' strike when he was Wales captain in 2023 during a contract dispute between the squad and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU). Without his actions and influence behind the scenes, it was reported that the Six Nations match against England could have been called off. At the time he admitted that Wales was the "laughing stock" of world rugby. Owens made his Wales debut in 2011 at the foot of Mount Taranaki in New Zealand during an 81-7 World Cup win over Namibia. Welsh Labour has a potential mountain to climb at the next Senedd election in May 2026. According to recent polling the party is under real pressure from Reform and Plaid Cymru, with the three neck and neck. Labour has been the biggest party at every Senedd election since the start of devolution in 1999, and there has always been a Labour first minister. But their position now faces a real challenge. Under the new voting system for the 2026 election, Wales has been split into 16 new constituencies, pairing the 32 used at the 2024 General Election. Sir Gaerfyrddin is formed from the Llanelli and Caerfyrddin constituencies, and covers the county of Carmarthenshire. Each constituency will return six MSs to an expanded 96-member Senedd. Parties will rank up to eight candidates each per constituency, with voters having one vote for the party of their choice. Labour would hope for one or possibly two of the six seats available in Sir Gaerfyrddin, meaning any candidate would need to be first or second on their list to have a realistic hope of becoming an MS. Along with team-mate Jonathan Davies, Owens was honoured by the Gorsedd of the Bards at the National Eisteddfod in 2019 for enriching Welsh culture. Should he want any advice on the conversion from rugby to politics he need only look over the Loughor estuary. The Labour MP for Gower, Tonia Antoniazzi, is also a former Wales rugby international.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bid to slash English-medium lessons in schools
English-medium education could be slashed in a part of Wales in an effort to bolster the use of Welsh language in schools. Gwynedd, one of two counties where Welsh is spoken by the majority of residents, plans to phase out English-medium streams from the vast majority of secondary schools. The new draft council policy from Cyngor Gwynedd would expect pupils to follow at least 70% of the curriculum in Welsh. The current arrangements expect a minimum of 60% of pupils to do so. The council said the proposals would "remove bilingualism and bilingual teaching" as Welsh becomes "the principal language of education". One Gwynedd councillor said while children's English skills "develop quite naturally" due to the influence of largely English-speaking media, many needed extra help with their Welsh due to a "changing world". The plans have come under attack by the Welsh Conservatives, with the party's leader describing them as "axing the opportunity for parents and pupils to choose to be educated in English". Welsh-only names for most new Senedd seats revealed Target of million Welsh speakers may become law Number of Welsh-speakers lowest in eight years The changes would primarily impact secondary education. All but two of the county's 13 schools are already designated as "Category 3" Welsh-medium. This requires schools to offer "at least 60% of learners undertaking at least 70% of their school activities in Welsh". But the plans would effectively scrap English-medium streams, meaning all pupils would be expected to follow 70% of the curriculum through the medium of Welsh. Ysgol Friars in Bangor and Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn are designated T3 schools, which means they are in transition to become Welsh medium. They would not be immediately affected. While Gwynedd remains a Welsh language heartland, the percentage of Welsh speakers has fallen. In 1981, 76.2% of its population could speak Welsh, but by 2021 this had fallen to 64.4%. The numbers also fluctuate within the county, as the city of Bangor and some coastal communities tend to have less Welsh speakers compared to the Seiont ward in Caernarfon and Llanrug. In Bangor, Gwynedd's only city, there was largely a positive reaction to the proposals. "It would be good thing to be honest," said Callum Marler, who lives in Llandudno. "I don't speak Welsh and I've lived here my whole life, I think it is a good idea. "I did Welsh in school, I didn't really pay much attention but I should have… it's the language of the country," he said. Tony Walkden said he felt parents should be entitled to send their children to an English-medium school if they wish. "In education I think it should be English, I agree that Welsh should be a strong language within this country," he said. "I've got grandchildren that are fluent in both languages. I think you should have a choice." Mared Rhys, a first-language Welsh speaker, said she agreed with what the authority wants to do. "Its important that the language is promoted and that children leave school confident in their Welsh and English. I think its to be welcomed," she said. Student Jade Lambsale believed that leaving school bilingual had its benefits. "I guess having English as a second language is very useful," she said. "I grew up in Italy so having two languages under your belt at such a young age is extremely useful to have. "Having a bilingual brain helps you speak other languages in turn." Her friend, Georgina Mee, added: "I guess it can be difficult with science-based subjects because they'll probably have to travel for higher education. "There's only a couple of [universities] in Wales and they often don't offer the subject in Welsh, so to progress you often do need the vocabulary in English as well." The draft measures "would not mean overnight changes" and would be subject to scrutiny and public consultation, the Plaid Cymru-run authority said. But the county's education portfolio holder, councillor Dewi Jones, said a revamp of the existing policy was overdue. "There have been linguistic changes in the county and the lives of young people are very different now compared to 1984," he said. "English, as a subject, will continue to be taught in English of course and parts of other subjects as well as extra-curricular activities." But Conservatives' Senedd leader Darren Millar said there was a "danger" the policy could "push people away from the Welsh language". "Axing the opportunity for parents and pupils to choose to be educated in English-medium schools is totally unacceptable," he said. "While I fully support access to Welsh medium education in all parts of Wales, linguistic zealots should remember that there are two official languages in our country that all local councils and education authorities should cater for; English and Welsh." Gwynedd's cabinet member for education said the Welsh language immersion system for non-Welsh speaking newcomers would remain unchanged. "The current emphasis is on bilingual learning but we're moving towards a system of Welsh-medium education," said Jones. "Of course not all schools are at the same stage of the process and they will be ready to offer these changes at different points." He added support would be offered to Ysgol Friars and Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn as well as Bangor's Catholic Our Lady's School in the primary sector as they "continue on their journey" to eventually becoming designated Welsh-medium schools. "We do have some non-Welsh speaking teachers who are already learning, it is not practical to change things overnight," he added. In the primary sector all pre-school and foundation phase education until the end of Year 2 will be through the medium of Welsh. From Year 3 onwards English would be introduced but at least 80% of pupils' education would be in Welsh, under the new plans. Children and young people with additional learning needs would receive "equal linguistic opportunities in accordance with the policy". Prince William's Welsh speech criticised by professor 'No reason Welsh music can't be next Gangnam Style' Plans for all 16-year-olds to speak Welsh 'lack detail'
Sky News
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Senedd 2026: Row over Welsh-only names as new constituencies announced
The new constituencies for the Senedd have been given Welsh-only names, in a move criticised by the former leader of the Welsh Conservatives. The number of Senedd constituencies has been slashed just as the number of members in the Welsh parliament is set to increase. Voters in Wales will head to the polls next May, but instead of the usual 40 constituencies, the country will now be split into 16 larger areas. The constituencies were confirmed on Monday, with all 16 given Welsh-only names, after a consultation process came to an end. But former leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, said many of his constituents who expressed concerns they would be "disenfranchised" by the proposed names had been "ignored". "Wales is bilingual and constituency names should be in both languages," he added. The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru said it assigned names to each constituency which it believed to be "acceptable and recognisable for people across Wales". The consultation process received more responses than ever before "by a considerable margin", according to the commission. Shereen Williams MBE, chief executive of the commission, said the changes were "very significant". Ms Williams acknowledged that the debate surrounding the names had been "robust, but very constructive". She thanked those members of the public who had responded to the consultation, which had been "significantly strengthened due to the public's involvement". What else is set to change? The announcement comes as the number of Senedd members is set to rise by more than 50%, rising from 60 to 96 at the next election. The way politicians get elected to Cardiff Bay will also change. Up until now, the Senedd was made up of 40 members elected through first past the post - the system used in Westminster - and a further 20 elected to represent five larger regions using the D'Hondt list method. Last year, the number of Welsh constituencies in a general election was cut from 40 to 32 - and those 32 have been paired to form the new Senedd constituencies. Six members will be elected from a list of candidates for each of the 16 constituencies, marking the biggest change in the way Senedd members are elected since the parliament's inception more than a quarter of a century ago.
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Senedd expansion: Welsh-only names for all new Welsh Parliament seats
Senedd constituencies will have Welsh-language only names from next year, under final plans from the Democracy and Boundary Senedd leader Andrew RT is opposing the Welsh-only names, saying "Wales is bilingual and constituency names should be in both languages". The proposals also see changes to the Cardiff constituencies, as part of wider reforms as the number of politicians increases from 60 to 96 at the 2026 Senedd members will be elected to represent each of 16 new constituencies. The voting system is also changing to become fully Commission published its last set of proposals in that occasion four of the 16 proposed constituencies had bilingual names: Swansea West Gower, South Powys Tawe Neath, Cardiff South-east Penarth and Cardiff will now be called only by their Welsh name: Gŵyr Abertawe, Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, Caerdydd Penarth and Caerdydd Ffynnon 16 constituencies being fought at the next election will be formed by pairing the 32 constituencies used at the last UK parliamentary election. What's happening in Cardiff? Under the Commission's initial proposals published in September Cardiff North was Paired with Cardiff East and Cardiff West was paired with Cardiff South and in December the plans were changed to pair Cardiff North with Cardiff West and Cardiff East with Cardiff South and Commission has now decided to revert to the original plans, forming two new constituencies called Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf and Caerdydd the law for the new Senedd each constituency had to be given have a single name "unless the commission considers this would be unacceptable".Having now given all 16 constituencies Welsh-only names, the commission says it believes the names assigned are "acceptable and recognisable for people across Wales". On Sunday, commission chief executive Shereen Williams told the BBC Sunday Supplement programme that previous proposals to give most seats Welsh-only names had prompted "pushback" during a recent of the comments received reflected "anti-Welsh language sentiments", she said, which she found "incredibly disappointing".Announcing the final plans on Tuesday, Williams said: "The debate over proposed pairs and names has been robust, but very constructive, and the constituencies recommended by the Commission have been significantly strengthened due to the public's involvement in the process."A further review of the constituencies will take place ahead of the 2030 Senedd election. The former leader of the Conservatives in the Senedd has expressed his opposition to the Welsh-only RT Davies said on X (formally known as Twitter): "Many constituents wrote to the Boundary Commission, complaining that the proposed Welsh-language only constituency names disenfranchised them."They were ignored."Wales is bilingual and constituency names should be in both languages."
