News

Most Welsh voters unclear on new Senedd voting system, study finds

Published

2 months ago

April 29, 2026

TWO-THIRDS of people in Wales do not properly understand major changes to the Senedd voting system ahead of next week’s election, new research has found.

Initial findings from the Welsh Election Study 2026 show widespread confusion about the expansion of the Senedd, the creation of new constituencies and the way votes will be counted when Wales goes to the polls on Thursday (May 7).

The study, led by researchers from Aberystwyth University and Swansea University, is based on responses from 10,001 adults aged 16 and over in Wales who were surveyed by Ipsos UK between February 26 and April 7.

From this election, the Senedd will increase from 60 to 96 Members. Wales will be divided into 16 larger constituencies, each electing six Members. Voters will have one vote, choosing a political party or an independent candidate, rather than voting separately for a constituency candidate and a regional list as in previous elections.

But the survey found that public understanding of the new system remains low.

Researchers said 88% of respondents either gave an incorrect answer or did not know how the new closed list electoral system will work. Just under 12% were able to answer correctly.

The findings come despite a majority of respondents saying they are interested in politics. Around 59% said they were interested in the forthcoming Senedd election, but the study found that many voters remain unclear about both the voting system and the division of powers between Cardiff Bay and Westminster.

Around half of respondents were either wrong or did not know that the Senedd has responsibility for the NHS, agriculture and economic development in Wales. Only 40% knew that policing remains a UK Government responsibility.

The survey also revealed a significant generational knowledge gap. Only 28% of respondents aged 16 to 25 knew that the Welsh Government is responsible for the NHS, compared with 62.7% of those aged 65 and over.

The research also points to a wider crisis of trust. More than two-thirds of respondents reported limited or no trust in the UK Government. Trust in the Welsh Government was slightly higher, but almost half of respondents still said they mistrusted it.

Many people also felt powerless to influence political decisions. More than 60% said they had no influence over decisions made by the UK Government, compared with 52% for decisions affecting Wales and just over 40% at local level.

When respondents were asked to describe the forthcoming Senedd election in one word, 83% expressed negative emotions, compared with 17% who gave positive responses. The most common themes were disappointment, frustration and worry.

Dr Anwen Elias, of Aberystwyth University, who authored the analysis and co-leads the study, said: “These findings provide an important insight into how people in Wales understand and engage with politics at a crucial moment ahead of the Senedd election.

“They highlight gaps in awareness of major electoral reforms and raise important questions about democratic participation, trust in government, and how well-informed people feel when making political decisions.

“Overall, these findings suggest a Welsh electorate that is generally interested in politics, including the upcoming Senedd election. However, understanding of how democracy works in Wales is mixed, and knowledge of the electoral reforms in place for the next election is limited.”

Dr Elias said knowledge of the reforms was “generally very low”, with slightly more awareness of the number of Members to be elected and the fact that each voter will cast one vote.

She added: “There is relatively less knowledge of the number of MSs representing each constituency, and even less of the operation of the closed list system of proportional representation, with barely over one in ten understanding it.”

Dr Bettina Petersohn, of Swansea University, said the findings showed that people in Wales had generally positive attitudes towards key democratic processes and were interested in the election.

She said: “The responses show that people have generally positive attitudes towards key democratic processes in Wales, are interested in the upcoming election, with a majority thinking that it makes a difference who will win the Senedd election.

“At the same time, the level of knowledge about the new electoral system was low at the start of the electoral campaign. Overall, people also expressed the feeling of not having much influence over decisions made for the UK, but also for Wales or the local area.”

The findings are published in the briefing paper A Snapshot of Democracy and Society in Wales: Initial Findings from the Welsh Election Study, April 2026.

The Welsh Election Study 2026 is a four-year research project funded by the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council.

The project brings together Dr Anwen Elias, of Aberystwyth University, Professor Matt Wall, Dr Bettina Petersohn and Dr Mohsin Hussain, of Swansea University, working with the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

16 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

22 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.