A Mid Wales Senedd Member has labelled the proposed changes to Senedd constituencies as a “step back for democracy”.

Proposals have been published for new super-constituencies that would be used to elect the expanded Senedd of 96 Members in 2026.

The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru published the proposals on August 3 and they include combining the constituencies of Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr as well as merging Brecon, Radnor, Neath and Swansea East into a single constituency.

Under these proposals, there would be 16 constituencies, each made up of two Westminster constituencies and each electing six Senedd Members, bringing the total number of MS’s from 60 to 96.

But James Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, has criticised the proposals, saying he thinks it will make the Senedd “less accountable” to voters.

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He said: “This is a backwards step for democracy in Wales.  Each new area will have six representatives and we will lose that ‘local’ connection and accountability of Members.

“I have always been against the expansion of the Senedd up to 96 and this move to a D’Hondt electoral system is a backward step for democracy and makes Senedd Members less accountable to the voters.

“As this is a major change to our electoral system, the Welsh Conservatives have consistently called for referendum on this but I can guarantee that they would not like the answer back!

“Welsh Labour, Plaid Cymru and Reform have all welcomed these proposals. At a time when our public services need investment this is clearly the wrong priorities for the Welsh Labour Government to be pushing ahead with this”. 

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 Commissioners reportedly considered transport links, local ties, shared history, the Welsh language and other socio-economic considerations in creating the new boundaries.

By combining Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, a merger of the Westminster seats of the same names, the Mid Wales seat would become the largest geographical constituency in Wales, with six Senedd Members serving an area of 1,927 square miles.

Under the proposals voters will cast their votes to select a party list, rather than an individual candidate, with parties deciding the order that their candidates will be elected.

Commissioners have urged the public to give their views on the proposals in their consultation, which runs until 30 September.

The proposals will be revised again in December, and will be finalised in March 2025.