Purpose of the consultation

The Assembly Commission would like to hear your views on how the electoral, operational and internal arrangements of the National Assembly for Wales could be changed.

The Wales Act 2017[Opens in a new browser window] marks the start of a new phase of devolution in Wales. It gives the National Assembly for Wales powers over new policy areas, including the Assembly’s own size, electoral system and internal arrangements.

The independent Expert Panel on Assembly Electoral Reform published its report last year: A Parliament that Works for Wales. The Panel considered the Assembly’s capacity to deliver for the people of Wales, and concluded that with only 60 Members the Assembly is too small to carry out its functions effectively. The Panel also considered how Members should be elected, and what the minimum voting age should be for Assembly elections.

The Assembly Commission is seeking views on the Expert Panel’s recommendations, and on other reforms to the Assembly’s electoral and operational arrangements that could make the institution a more accessible and effective legislature.

Frequently asked questions

Learn more about this consultation and the Assembly Commission’s reform work in our frequently asked questions.

Responding to the consultation

There are different ways that you can let the Assembly Commission know what you think about the potential reforms:

• Visit the consultation microsite[Opens in a new browser window], and fill in an online survey. You can choose whether to answer questions on all of the proposals, or just the ones which interest you most.
• By reading this consultation document or this easy read document, and then either email your completed consultation response form[Opens in a new browser window] or easy read response form to AssemblyCommission.Consultations@assembly.wales, or you can post it to us at Freepost, National Assembly for Wales.

The consultation period will last from 12 February 2018 to 6 April 2018.

The National Assembly for Wales has two official languages, Welsh and English. In line with the Assembly’s Official Languages Scheme, the Assembly Commission requests that documents or written responses to consultations intended for publication or use in National Assembly proceedings are submitted bilingually. When documents or written responses are not submitted bilingually, we will publish in the language submitted, stating that it has been received in that language only. We expect other organisations to implement their own standards or schemes and to comply with their statutory obligation.

Disclosure of information

Please ensure that you have considered the Assembly’s policy on disclosure of information before submitting information to the Assembly Commission.

Supporting documents

• Consultation Document
• Consultation Response Form[Opens in a new browser window]
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Easy Read  
• Easy Read Consultation Document
• Easy Read Response Form

Contact details

Should you wish to speak to someone regarding this consultation, please use the below contact details:

Assembly Commission Secretariat
National Assembly for Wales
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF99 1NA

Email: CommissionConsultations@assembly.wales
Telephone: 0300 200 6565