The 2026 Senedd elections saw massive changes in Welsh politics. After 27 years of Labour-led governments, Plaid Cymru formed a government for the first time, with Reform UK heading the official opposition. The size and composition of the Senedd has also changed, with 96 members elected instead of 60 and almost 70% of Senedd Members (MSs) being elected for the first time.

As policy makers in Wales navigate these shifts, the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) is here to help bridge the gap between research and decision making, to support evidence-informed public services in Wales.

We recently wrote to all MSs to congratulate them on their election, and to highlight examples of our recent work which speak to the priorities and policy challenges facing Wales over the next Senedd term and beyond.

WCPP Director Professor Dan Bristow said: “Senedd Members face a hard task in balancing competing sources of information and cutting through the noise to focus on the substance of policy debates.  For the last 12 years we have been delivering high-quality and impactful research across the responsibilities of the Welsh Government, providing an invaluable resource for policy makers looking to improve decision making and implementation."

You can read our Introduction to WCPP for Senedd Members, and if you feel that we could support your work as a policy maker, practitioner or public service leader in Wales, please contact us at info@wcpp.org.uk for more information.