Big news in Welsh politics! The Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party, a vocal critic of the Senedd, has announced they won’t be fielding any candidates in the upcoming May elections. This decision comes after a “careful assessment” of the newly introduced closed-list D’Hondt electoral system and the broader political atmosphere in Wales.
Abolish aims to avoid splitting the anti-devolution vote, potentially giving more power to those who want to expand the Senedd. Richard Suchorzewski, the party leader, emphasised their commitment to the Welsh taxpayer and effective governance. He noted, “Standing in this election would be largely symbolic and risks splitting the anti-devolution vote.”
While still committed to abolishing the Assembly, Abolish believes other parties now have a clearer shot at representation under this new system, which promises a more proportional outcome in terms of votes and seats.
The D’Hondt system is set to reflect a party’s share of the vote more closely and will be used for the first time in Wales. This change is part of the Senedd’s expansion, increasing from 60 to 96 members. Despite their strategic withdrawal from the election, Abolish remains focused on challenging the Senedd’s expansion and advocating for cost-effective and accountable governance.
Supporters of Abolish can rest assured that their principles remain steadfast, even if their tactics have changed. The party expressed gratitude for the loyalty and understanding of its supporters during this strategic shift. Keep an eye on this space for more updates on how this move could shape the Welsh political landscape.