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 making that easier than ever.
If you’ve ever looked at the state of politics and thought, “I could do better than that,” then this is your opportunity to prove it.
The 2026 Senedd election will be your chance to step forward, represent your community, and show that democracy can work differently, starting in Casnewydd Islwyn, the first area in Wales to pilot The Open Party’s open primary elections.
Why stand for election in Wales?
Wales needs more representatives who understand real life, people who’ve run businesses, worked in public services, cared for others, raised families, and supported their communities. Politics doesn’t improve when the same small group of insiders stays in charge. It improves when people with practical experience, empathy, and commitment step forward.
Standing for election gives you the chance to:
- Represent your community’s real priorities.
- Bring honesty and fresh thinking to the Senedd.
- Rebuild trust between politics and the public.
- Inspire others to believe they can make a difference too.
You don’t need to be a career politician. You just need the courage to care, and to act.
Who can stand for election in Wales?
To stand as a candidate in Wales for the Senedd 2026 election, you must:
- Be 18+
- Live in Wales
- Not be disqualified from standing (for example, because of certain public office roles or bankruptcy restrictions).
For decades to have any realistic chance of being elected you also have to be a political party member. Not anymore. The Open Party make standing competitively in elections open to everyone.
How the Open Party makes it practical for everyone to stand
The Open Party provides the support and backing of a political party, but we don’t mind what your politics are. Left, Right, In, Out, Green, Brown, Independence, etc. We don’t mind – because we are not choosing you – the public are.
We run primary elections where the public select their favourite candidates, and these become the Open Party candidates for the Senedd elections. The Open Party encourages people from all backgrounds to apply, whether you’re self-employed, retired, a student, or a stay-at-home parent. Your insight matters.
It’s democracy at its most open and inclusive.
The step-by-step process
Standing as a candidate with The Open Party is simple and transparent:
1. Submit your application (closes January)
Applications open ahead of each election cycle. For the 2026 Senedd election, you can now apply to represent Casnewydd Islwyn, the first pilot area in Wales. Visit openparty.uk to find out more and submit your application.
2. Take part in the Open Party primary election
Stand alongside other candidates. Take part in “Question Time”-style debates, webinars, and public “meet the candidates” coffee mornings.
Every registered voter in Casnewydd Islwyn gets to vote for their preferred candidate. The candidates with the most support become The Open Party’s official representatives in the 2026 Senedd election.
3. Campaign in the Senedd elections
The Open Party provides all the support that a traditional party would, but you stand on your agenda, not ours. If selected, you’ll receive support and guidance from The Open Party on PR, graphic design, legal advice, campaigning, etc. Plus a national umbrella brand.
Standing for election doesn’t mean standing alone.
Campaigning as a community candidate
When you campaign with The Open Party, you’ll do it your way, reflecting your values, your experience, and your community.
We’ll help you:
- Communicate clearly about your ideas and priorities.
- Engage effectively with voters and local media.
- Understand the election rules and paperwork.
- Build confidence in sharing your story publicly.
We don’t tell candidates what to think or say, we help them find their voice and use it confidently.
Accountability at the heart
Every Open Party MS, MP, or MSP faces public reselection before each election. That means your position is earned, not guaranteed. Accountability isn’t a slogan for us, it’s built into the system. Representatives must continue to engage with their communities, listen to feedback, and remain true to their values. It’s how we make sure politics always serves the people, not the other way around.
Why now?
The 2026 Senedd election will introduce major reforms to Wales’s electoral system, more Members of the Senedd, new constituencies, and a proportional voting system. It’s the perfect moment to rethink how we choose our representatives too.
Casnewydd Islwyn will lead the way as the first constituency in Wales to test this open, accountable model of candidate selection, one that could shape the future of democracy across the UK.
How to apply
If you’re ready to make a difference, now’s the time to act.
- Visit openparty.uk to submit your application.
- Join a movement that’s putting honesty, fairness, and community first.
