Governance

The ballot paper gets counted, the results declared, and the winning candidate takes their seat. For most voters, that is where their active involvement in the democratic process ends. It is also, in a meaningful sense, where democracy is supposed...

The word infrastructure conjures physical things. Roads, railways, broadband cables, water pipes. When politicians talk about investing in infrastructure, they mean tangible assets with price tags and ribbon-cutting ceremonies. But there is another kind of infrastructure — less visible, harder...

Every election cycle brings a familiar lament: turnout is down, young people aren't engaged, voters don't understand the issues. The diagnosis is always some variation of public apathy. Rarely does the conversation turn to what the system itself demands of...

In 2024, the Senedd in Wales voted for a new electoral system.  The mixed system that served Wales since 1999 was thrown out. The first part of this mixed system was 40 constituency members of the Senedd (MSs) elected on...

There is a tendency in British political culture to treat democracy as something that was achieved rather than something that is sustained. The franchise was won, the institutions were built, and the rules were written down. The assumption, often unstated,...

Boundary changes rarely generate much public enthusiasm. They are technical exercises, conducted by committees, reported in small print. But the reforms reshaping the Senedd ahead of the 2026 Welsh Parliament elections are something more than administrative tidying. Wales is moving...

Many people talk about a “glass ceiling” that stops women from reaching top jobs. But for women of colour, the ceiling is not glass: it is many layers of concrete. It is heavier, harder, and built from years of unfairness....

Standing for election doesn’t mean standing alone Running for election can feel daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before. But at The Open Party, we believe that politics should be open to everyone, not just those with party machines...

A proud Welsh community leading the way In South East Wales, Casnewydd Islwyn is a proud, resilient community now making history as the first in Wales to host The Open Party’s open primary elections, giving every voter a say in...

A new era for Welsh politics The 2026 Senedd election will mark a turning point for Welsh democracy.  Not only will voters choose who represents them in the Welsh Parliament, but they’ll also experience one of the biggest changes to...

Standing for election in Wales, made simple For too long, standing for election has seemed like something only politicians do.  In reality, anyone with integrity, experience, and a desire to help their community can stand, and The Open Party is...