5/ Read more about the Scottish parliament's powers, how the Scottish government operates, and what government formation may look like after the 2026 election here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/sc...

4/ Voters will be heading to the ballot box on 7 May 2026 to decide who controls the Scottish parliament's wide range of devolved powers including over health and social care, education, housing, justice, the environment and some elements of economic and tax policy.

3/ With Scotland just six months away from May’s crucial parliamentary election, we'll also look towards 2026, which looks set to be one of the most unpredictable campaigns since the SNP entered government almost 19 years ago.

2/ Join us in-person and online as the First Minister discusses his priorities ahead of the 2026 Scottish parliament election, the political context in Scotland ahead of the crucial UK budget, and the SNP’s vision for Scotland’s constitutional future.

7/ Looking ahead to May 2026, with Plaid Cymru and Reform UK leading the polls – and a new proportional system in play – questions about who governs, Wales’ relationship with Westminster, and its constitutional future are set to dominate.

Read more: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/se...

6/ The new system proportional system is more representative but makes a single-party majority in the Senedd less likely. With Plaid Cymru and Reform UK neck-and-neck in the polls, and Plaid ruling out any deal with Reform, forming a government next May could be anything but straightforward.

5/ And the Caerphilly by-election may well be the last in Wales. There’ll be no by-elections under the new system – seat vacancies will be filled by the next candidate on the party list or be left empty until the next Senedd election.

4/ The ballot paper features parties, rather than candidate names, which could sideline well-known MSs who’ve built strong local reputations. Without their names on the paper, personal brands may count for less and tilt the playing field toward parties dominating the national debate.

3/ Under the closed list system, votes are cast for a political party rather than an individual (unless there is an independent candidate). With the order of candidates on the list determined by parties, local candidates are competing internally for the coveted top spots.

2/ So, what are the key changes?

Wales is moving from the additional member system to a closed list proportional representation system

The size of the Senedd increases from 60 to 96 MSs

The number of constituencies decreases from 40 to 16, with each constituency electing 6 MSs

No by-elections

7/ Looking ahead to May 2026, with Plaid Cymru and Reform UK leading the polls – and a new proportional system in play – questions about who governs, Wales’ relationship with Westminster, and its constitutional future are set to dominate.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/se...

6/ The new system proportional system is more representative but makes a single-party majority in the Senedd less likely. With Plaid Cymru and Reform UK neck-and-neck in the polls, and Plaid ruling out any deal with Reform, forming a government next May could be anything but straightforward.