Broadcaster promises debates, youth-focused content and full results coverage across Wales

BBC CYMRU WALES has unveiled its plans for comprehensive coverage of the 2026 Senedd election, with a strong focus on accessibility, youth engagement and on-the-ground reporting.

The broadcaster says its election output—available in both English and Welsh—will include live debates, breaking news, in-depth interviews, analysis and expert commentary across television, radio, online and social platforms ahead of polling day on Thursday (May 7).

Special attention will be given to first-time voters aged sixteen and seventeen, as well as explaining the new electoral system. Content aimed at younger audiences will feature prominently, including short-form videos, “minute manifestos,” rapid-fire leader Q&As, and fact-checking reels shared across BBC Wales’ social channels.

Delyth Isaac, Head of News and Current Affairs at BBC Wales, said: “Welsh voters are our number one priority in this election. Our job in the run-up to polling day is to ensure they have all the information they need to make their choice.

“Our teams are getting out into communities across Wales, listening to voters, reporting on local issues and holding politicians to account. We will create spaces for open debate and ensure all voices are heard.”

Debates across Wales

A series of live debates and Q&A programmes will take place across the country in the weeks leading up to the election.

On Tuesday (Mar 17), Nick Servini hosted a Your Voice Live debate in Wrexham, featuring representatives from Welsh Labour, Welsh Conservatives, Plaid Cymru, Welsh Liberal Democrats, Reform UK and the Wales Green Party.

Further programmes include two Your Voice Live: Ask the Leader events. One will be broadcast from Haverfordwest on Wednesday (Apr 8) at 8:00pm on BBC One Wales, with another from Llandudno on Wednesday (Apr 15) at the same time. Both will also air on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds.

The main leaders’ debate will take place on Tuesday (Apr 28), hosted by Bethan Rhys Roberts in Cardiff and broadcast at 8:00pm on BBC One Wales.

Digital, radio and investigation focus

BBC Wales News Online and Cymru Fyw will provide rolling coverage throughout the campaign, including policy analysis, constituency breakdowns, manifesto guides and BBC Verify fact-checking.

The BBC’s investigations team will also examine the spread of disinformation during the campaign, particularly on social media.

On radio, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru will feature regular election coverage across flagship programmes, alongside special editions of podcasts such as Walescast and Gwleidydda.

Full results coverage planned

BBC Wales reporters will be present at every count across the country when results are declared on Friday (May 8).

Coverage will include live reporting, expert analysis and reaction from candidates, with Political Editor Gareth Lewis playing a central role.

Special results programmes will air on BBC One Wales and S4C, alongside rolling coverage online and on radio. Politics Wales will also broadcast extended programmes during the campaign and a one-hour results special on Sunday (May 10).

Content for younger audiences

BBC Bitesize will produce a bilingual series of explainer videos aimed at 14–16-year-olds, while Newyddion S4C will provide dedicated coverage for younger viewers.

A major Welsh-language debate, Y Ddadl Fawr, will be broadcast live from Carmarthenshire on Thursday (Apr 23) at 8:00pm across S4C, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds.

The BBC said its aim is to ensure every voter in Wales understands how to take part and how their vote counts as the country heads towards a crucial election.

Late Reform candidate takes seat as independent surge and Labour withdrawal shape contest

REFORM UK candidate Scott Thorley has won the Hakin by-election, securing 179 votes in a contest marked by low turnout, a late candidate withdrawal, and a strong showing from an independent challenger.

A total of 661 votes were cast, representing a turnout of 32.7%, with 271 of those votes submitted by post.

Thorley, who sits as a Haverfordwest town councillor and works as a retail manager on the Withybush Industrial Estate, was a late and reportedly reluctant addition to the ballot. Not being from Milford Haven, his candidacy raised some eyebrows locally.

However, he emerged victorious on the night and appeared visibly both surprised and excited by the result.

Speaking to The Herald shortly after the count, in his first video interview as county councillor, Thorley said he was “passionate about serving the community” and pledged to ensure that Milford Haven and Hakin receive a fairer share of council resources.

He said: “We need to start with the basics – fixing potholes and broken bus shelters. It’s clear Hakin has been neglected.”

Thorley already serves as a Haverfordwest town councillor and indicated he intends to continue in both roles.

He said he would be able to “get on with doing both jobs”.

The Herald understands this is the first time a councillor has represented communities in both Haverfordwest and Milford Haven at the same time.

Strong showing for independent

Independent candidate Lee James Bridges delivered one of the standout performances of the election, finishing with 106 votes. A sitting Milford Haven town councillor, Bridges ran a highly visible and energetic campaign, focusing strongly on local issues.

Without the backing of a political party, his result is likely to be seen as a significant achievement and suggests he may play an ongoing role in local politics.

Speaking after the count, Lee Bridges said: “I just want to say a sincere thank you to everyone who supported me during this campaign. It’s been a privilege to meet so many residents across the Hakin ward and hear your views.

“Of course I’m disappointed with the result, but I’m proud that I stood up, gave it everything, and ran a positive campaign focused on representing local people.

“What I will say is that it is really hard to put yourself out there and try to do this, as it can be very difficult to see people write unkind things about you on social media. Anybody who is willing to stand up has my respect.

“Congratulations to the winning candidate, Scott Thorley representing Reform, and I wish him the very best in representing the people of Hakin at County Hall.”

Heavy campaigning fails to boost turnout

The election saw an intense level of doorstep campaigning, with candidates from across the political spectrum carrying out extensive door knocking in the ward.

However, the level of canvassing appears to have had a mixed reception among residents, with some reportedly placing notes on their doors reading “no politicians” in an effort to deter campaigners.

Despite the significant effort on the ground and what many viewed as a tightly contested race, turnout remained relatively low at just 32.7%.

Limited campaign still delivers strong result

Brian Taylor, representing the Welsh Conservative Party, secured 144 votes. A well-known local businessman and familiar name in Hakin, Taylor’s campaign was notably limited, as he was on holiday during some of the election period and did not attend the count.

Despite this, he still achieved a strong second-place finish, reflecting his established presence in the community.

With just 35 votes separating him from the winner, several people at the count suggested that, with a more visible campaign, Taylor would have taken the seat.

Labour candidate withdraws

The election was also overshadowed by the withdrawal of Welsh Labour candidate Nicola Catherine Harteveld. She pulled out of the race after reporting that her son had been subjected to verbal abuse following her candidacy, with police involvement.

Despite her withdrawal, Harteveld still received 27 votes – more than independent candidate Derrick Abbott, who polled 11.

The unusual situation left Welsh Labour, for a short time, unknowingly campaigning in the area without an active candidate, with senior figures including the First Minister seen canvassing locally during the campaign period.

Elsewhere, Sam Booth of the Wales Green Party received 85 votes, Sam Warden of the Welsh Liberal Democrats secured 57, and independent Duncan Edwards polled 52.

The result highlights both the continued fragmentation of local politics and the potential for independent candidates to make a significant impact, particularly where strong community ties and grassroots campaigning are evident.

With turnout relatively low and a high proportion of postal votes, the election also raises ongoing questions about engagement in local democracy.

Efficient count praised

Pembrokeshire County Council staff were praised for running an efficient and accurate count on the night.

The Returning Officer was Will Bramble, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire County Council.

Full result:

Derrick Abbott (Independent) – 11
Sam Booth (Wales Green Party) – 85
Lee James Bridges (Independent) – 106
Duncan Edwards (Independent) – 52
Nicola Catherine Harteveld (Welsh Labour) – 27
Brian Taylor (Welsh Conservative Party) – 144
Scott Thorley (Reform UK) – 179
Sam Warden (Welsh Liberal Democrats) – 57

A CALL to back feasibility funding which may ultimately see new leisure centres in both Milford Haven and Pembroke, as well as a multi-million grant to keep Tenby’s pool running for at least a decade, has been backed by senior councillors.

At the March 16 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members were asked to approve a leisure investment programme including feasibility funding for new leisure centres in Pembroke and Milford Haven, along with works at Tenby leisure centre, with the aim of extending the lifespan of the trust-run swimming pool by at least 10 years.

A report for members said of Pembroke and Tenby leisure centres that “the advancing age of the buildings, combined with the end-of-life cycle of a number of key components, has now resulted in the need for a significant replacement programme across both sites”.

To replace Tenby pool on its current footprint would be approximately £27.47m, with efforts to identify a viable alternative site within the town’s catchment area unsuccessful.

For Pembroke Leisure Centre, it says costs to extend the lifespan of the 1974-built pool by 10 years would be £8,288,418.

For Milford Haven Leisure Centre, the report said a condition survey “highlights significant areas that require attention, including, for example, building structure (metal cladding, roof) and mechanical and electrical works,” with an estimated cost over a 30-year period to address all findings at some £12,677,279, £5.6m of that over the next four years.

For Tenby, the aim is to extend its lifespan by at least a decade, with a grant to the charitable trust running the pool.

Members backed a long string of recommendations, subject to future decisions of Cabinet in accordance with the governance arrangements in the Capital Strategy to approve individual projects and put them into the capital programme.

For Pembroke this includes a detailed feasibility study for a new-build Leisure Centre in Pembroke, on the current school site, providing a feasibility budget of £195,000 from reserves.

For Milford Haven,  members backed £1.2m (at risk) in the capital programme to develop a high-level leisure brief into the tender of the new English Medium primary and secondary school project in Milford Haven, and the preconstruction services to develop the project designs (to RIBA 4, Detailed Design) for a new leisure centre at the same time as the school.

For Tenby, members backed a grant of £4,606,667 to the Tenby and District Swimming Pool Association, as owner of the asset, for works to extend the lifespan of the current swimming pool by at least 10 years.

Members also backed other recommendations including £50,000 from reserves to procure external funding consultants to identify and secure as much funding as possible towards the delivery of the investment programme, and to establish a leisure operations review board to undertake a formal review of the leisure services operating model.