Senedd Co-options: How Member Replacements Work in the Welsh Parliament
The Senedd (Welsh Parliament, or Senedd Cymru) employs a specific mechanism known as co-option to fill vacancies. Unlike many parliamentary systems that trigger a by-election when a seat becomes vacant, co-option allows a political party to replace a departing member without a new public vote.
Historically, this process was governed by the Government of Wales Act 1998. Under these provisions, if a regional member resigned, died, or became disqualified, they were replaced by the next available and willing person on their original party's list. This ensured that the proportional representation of the region remained intact throughout the parliamentary term.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Evolution of Senedd Replacements
The system of member replacement is currently undergoing a significant transition. Prior to the 2026 Senedd election, electoral regions were abolished. Consequently, the role of the regional member—and the specific co-option process associated with them—has changed.
Starting from 2026, all Senedd constituencies will be multi-member. In this new framework, any member who leaves the Senedd will continue to be replaced via co-option rather than through a by-election, maintaining the continuity of party representation.
Key Facts
- Co-option is the process of filling a vacancy using a party list rather than holding a by-election.
- The Government of Wales Act 1998 originally established the co-option rules for regional members.
- Regional members were abolished ahead of the 2026 elections.
- From 2026, all constituencies will be multi-member and use co-option for replacements.
- No co-options occurred during the Second Assembly (2003–2007) or the Sixth Senedd (2021–2026).
Historical Record of Co-options (1999–2021)
Since the first elections in 1999, several co-options have occurred due to various circumstances, including health issues, appointments to other legislative bodies, and deaths in office.
| Term | Region | Incumbent | Replacement | Party | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2003 | Mid and West Wales | Alun Michael | Delyth Evans | Labour | Resignation (MP duties) |
| 1999–2003 | North Wales | Christine Humphreys | Eleanor Burnham | Lib Dems | Health grounds |
| 1999–2003 | North Wales | Rod Richards | David Jones | Conservative | Health grounds |
| 2007–2011 | South Wales East | Mike German | Veronica German | Lib Dems | House of Lords appointment |
| 2011–2016 | South Wales West | Byron Davies | Altaf Hussain | Conservative | Election as MP |
| 2011–2016 | North Wales | Antoinette Sandbach | Janet Haworth | Conservative | Election as MP |
| 2016–2021 | North Wales | Nathan Gill | Mandy Jones | UKIP | MEP duties |
| 2016–2021 | Mid and West Wales | Simon Thomas | Helen Mary Jones | Plaid Cymru | Resignation |
| 2016–2021 | South Wales East | Steffan Lewis | Delyth Jewell | Plaid Cymru | Death |
| 2016–2021 | South Wales East | Mohammad Asghar | Laura Anne Jones | Conservative | Death |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a co-option in the Senedd?
A co-option is a method of filling a vacant seat in the Senedd where the next available person from the original party's candidate list is appointed, avoiding the need for a by-election.
Why are by-elections not used for these vacancies?
Under the Government of Wales Act 1998, co-options were used for regional members to maintain the proportional party balance established during the general election.
How will replacements work after 2026?
From 2026, all Senedd constituencies will be multi-member. Any member who leaves their post will be replaced via co-option.
Which Senedd terms had no co-options?
No co-options took place during the Second Assembly (2003–2007) and the Sixth Senedd (2021–2026).
What are the common reasons for a member to be replaced?
Common reasons include resignation to focus on other political roles (such as becoming an MP or MEP), health issues, appointment to the House of Lords, or death.