Skip to content

The big changes coming to the next Senedd election

Voters in Wales will go to the polls for the next Senedd election on 7 May 2026.

It is expected to be the most significant election in Cardiff Bay since the creation of the National Assembly for Wales in 1999.

This is largely due to sweeping reforms in how the Senedd is elected.

BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis breaks down how the new system will work and what is changing.

Video filmed and edited by Erin Lister

3 hours ago

Welsh Parliament

Flames are visible reaching up into the sky of the Bethany English Calvinistic Methodist Chapel on Station Road in Port Talbot. Firefighters are spraying water at it.

Drone footage captures fire at 19th Century church

More than 20 firefighters tackled the fire at the 18th Century church.

CCTV footage shows Anthony Felton attacking Richard Pyke with a wrench in an office in St Joseph's Roman Catholic Comprehensive school.

CCTV shows head attacking love rival teacher with wrench

Anthony Felton is jailed for attacking his friend and colleague in his office at school.

A close up blurry picture of the car crash in Bodfari. One car is on fire. A man is walking away from the car, while another man is stood looking at it.

Man recalls moment car turned into 'ball of flames'

Tony Johnson pulled a driver from a burning car after a crash with two vehicles in Bodfari.

Tonia Antoniazzi speaking in parliament as other MPs look on. she has short cropped hair and glasses.

Watch: Labour MP criticises gender ideology 'damage'

Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi says Welsh government and others were "captured" by LGBT charities.

Sioned Cray and Fin Gough

Race Across the World 'much harder than we thought'

Sioned Cray and Fin Gough thought they were prepared for the challenge of the reality TV show.

Merthyr footballers and fans celebrate with trophy

Party time in Merthyr as Martyrs clinch promotion

The fan-owned club won the Southern Premier League South title with victory at Penydarren Park.

A man stood outside a court reading a statement. There are mics in front of him recording what he is saying.

Paddleboard tour victims' families pay tribute

Four people died after paddleboarding in "extremely hazardous conditions" on the River Cleddau.

Mrs Justice Stacey giving sentence to Nerys Lloyd

Judge sentences river death paddleboard firm owner

Watch as a judge sentences Nerys Bethan Lloyd for the gross negligence manslaughter of four people.

Nerys Bethan Lloyd looking at camera. Sun and sky is visible behind her, her hair is wet.

Footage shows firm owner at paddleboard death scene

Watch as Nerys Bethan Lloyd tells police what happened during a fatal paddleboarding incident.

Framed photograph of Pope Francis with flowers in foreground

'He was a great listener to everyone'

Bishop of Wrexham Peter Brignall and Mark O'Toole, Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia, pay their respects.

A wet springer spaniel with a pink harness. The springer is walking a cliff edge as two RNLI workers are helping it.

Watch as stranded dog rescued from cliff edge

Ember became stuck after chasing after a ball while out walking along a coastal path with her owner.

A road with a car and a van on the same side. Both vehicles are white and they are both on the left side of the road. The van is on the wrong side of the road. It is a dark night.

Dangerous driver involved in 'shocking' crash

Swansea Crown Court heard that Peter Gilmore had 44 previous convictions for 104 offences.

Twenty month old Albi has blisters on his face because of his rare skin condition.

Watch: Life raising a toddler with 'butterfly skin'

Protecting Albi's skin is a daily battle for parents as it can blister or tear from any friction.

Smashed wall with insulation falling out, smashed sink with debris in it

Watch: 'Disgusting' vandalism of owl sanctuary

Owl sanctuary toilets targeted by vandals.

Man in dark clothing and Balaclava walks across a tiled yard at night

Watch the moment thieves take charity truck

Oasis Cardiff, which supports refugees and asylum seekers, says the truck was crucial to its work.

Mid-thirties man with beard and black jumper in front of football shirts and scarves

Watch: Can you spot a fake football shirt?

Vintage football shirt expert, Daniel Rees, explains how to keep your money safe from fakes.

Lando Norris holds his left hand to his chest while celebrating victory in the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He is wearing a bright orange, heavily branded, Formula One racing outfit with black trim. Lando has short dark curly hair with it shaved up the side of his head

How a Welsh uni helps F1 star reach top speed

Formula One season favourite Lando Norris is put through his paces at Swansea University.

Fire and smoke in the distance. In the forefront of the picture there is a hot tub and chairs.

'Blaring' wildfire burns close to homes

Crews have been battling wildfires across Wales, with firefighters described as "on their knees".

Four people on e-bikes, filmed from above

Watch: E-bike riders caught using police drone

Police in Newport use a surveillance drone to spot a group of e-bikers on city streets.

Rugby fan outside of the Principality stadium, she is wearing a red T-shirt and has her dark hair scraped back into a bun. She is also wearing gold hoop earrings

Rugby fans react to Cardiff administration news

The Welsh Rugby Union is in line to take over the regional side.