**Adam Price Facing Daunting Challenge for Senedd Return Amid Major Electoral Shake-Up**
Adam Price, once the leader of Plaid Cymru, is confronting an unexpectedly difficult path to securing his place in the Senedd after being ranked third in his party’s selection for the newly-redrawn Sir Gaerfyrddin constituency. The changes come as Wales prepares for a significant overhaul of its parliamentary electoral system ahead of the May 2026 poll, with both structure and strategy undergoing sweeping modifications.
Next year’s Senedd election will operate under a fundamentally reformed voting system. The former arrangement, which comprised individual constituency and regional list representatives, is being replaced by 16 large multi-member constituencies. In each, parties will present a ranked list of six candidates, and seats will be allocated proportionally according to votes received. This expansion will increase the Senedd’s total membership to 96.
Within this new framework, Plaid Cymru’s internal selection mechanisms have proven crucial. Candidates’ positions on their local party lists are likely to determine who ultimately takes a seat in Cardiff Bay. For Adam Price, being placed third on Plaid’s ticket in Sir Gaerfyrddin signifies that his re-election is by no means assured. Given the proportional system, only a commanding victory by Plaid in the area would see him returned, requiring the party to claim at least half the available seats.
At the top of Plaid’s candidate slate for this key constituency is Cefin Campbell, a sitting regional member for Mid and West Wales. He is closely followed by Nerys Evans, a well-known figure who previously served in the Senedd and penned the influential Prosiect Pawb report into party culture. Mari Arthur has been placed fourth on the list, with remaining positions to be clarified as the selection process unfolds across the country.
Plaid Cymru’s rules emphasise equality in candidate selection, denying any automatic advantage to sitting members. Party balloting embraces ranked voting, and efforts have been made to increase female representation, with eight constituencies mandating a woman in the top spot. This contrasts with older practices in which incumbents and high-profile figures could expect preferential treatment.
Adam Price’s recent political journey has been turbulent. His tenure as party leader ended in 2023 following the publication of the Prosiect Pawb report, which documented allegations of misogyny, harassment, and a culture of tolerance for inappropriate behaviour within the party. Authored by Nerys Evans, now his list rival, the report made national headlines and prompted Price to step down after initially refusing to go. Leadership then passed to Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Speaking after the selection, Mr Price expressed gratitude to local party members, congratulating Cefin Campbell and calling for unity: “The task now is for our team of candidates to work together and ensure our best ever result in Sir Gar at the next Senedd elections.” Both Campbell and Evans also expressed their commitment to representing their communities and strengthening Plaid’s voice in Welsh politics.
Across Wales, Plaid’s candidate selections proceed apace. Carrie Harper has emerged as the leading name in Fflint Wrecsam, while former party chair Dafydd Trystan heads the Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf list. In Pen-y-Bont Morgannwg, another incumbent, Luke Fletcher, has found himself down the pecking order, finishing third.
Whether Adam Price can return to political prominence rests with the unpredictable outcome of a landmark Welsh election. As party selections and seat predictions continue, observers will be monitoring Sir Gaerfyrddin and its high-profile candidates keenly. The next year promises considerable drama in Welsh politics as old certainties dissolve under the weight of electoral reform.