THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has commissioned new research into the barriers that prevent people in Wales from participating fully in democratic life.
The Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant MS, said the study would help to identify socio-economic factors that discourage individuals from voting or standing for election—particularly those from marginalised or disadvantaged backgrounds.
The research, which will be carried out by Alma Economics, will explore how financial pressures, limited access to political knowledge, discrimination, and societal attitudes may act as obstacles to democratic engagement.
Ms Bryant said: “We are taking steps to ensure that everyone in Wales, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to take part in our democracy—whether through voting or by standing for office.”
In recent years, the Welsh Government has introduced a number of reforms aimed at widening participation in politics. These include lowering the voting age to sixteen and making it a legal requirement to provide financial support for disabled candidates facing additional costs when standing for election.
Earlier this week, new Diversity and Inclusion Guidance was also published to support political parties in encouraging a broader range of candidates to stand in the 2026 Senedd elections. The guidance urges parties to create diversity strategies at least six months before the election and to publish anonymised diversity data on their candidates afterward.
The Cabinet Secretary said the new research would strengthen that work by shedding light on the specific challenges people face when engaging with Welsh democracy.
“This work will help us understand how socio-economic factors influence whether someone feels able to get involved,” she said. “It is about ensuring that our democratic institutions are open, inclusive, and truly representative of the people they serve.”
Ms Bryant encouraged people from all backgrounds—including members of the public, elected officials, and organisations in the third sector—to contribute to the study.
“Many Members share my commitment to making democracy accessible for everyone. I encourage those with views and experiences to share to get in touch with the researchers directly.”
Those interested in taking part in the research can contact Eleni Kotsira at Alma Economics via email: [email protected].
The findings are expected to be published later this year.
