Sign in

Jess Blair

@jessblair.bsky.social
303 followers 369 following 36 posts

Trying to make democracy a bit better 🗳️ Either travelling or planning the next trip 🗺️ Cat convert 🐈‍⬛ 🐈‍⬛ Views my own

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Jess Blair
mySociety @mysociety.org · 15/07/2026
Join us online on 23 July for the relaunch of WriteToThem in Wales, and learn how to reach the right representative in Wales's changing democratic landscape. We'll also be joined by @jessblair.bsky.social from the Electoral Reform Society to discuss how Welsh politics has evolved. luma.com/tfn60j3e
luma.com
Getting the right message to the right place: navigating changes in Welsh democracy · Luma
Join mySociety to relaunch WriteToThem in Wales and learn how to reach the right representative in a changed democratic landscape. Wales's democratic map has…
117
Reposted by Jess Blair
Electoral Reform Society @electoralreform.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Every election sees last-minute surges in voter registration. Automating registration reduces that pressure on administrators, focusing efforts on encouraging voters to participate. Wales is demonstrating how to make elections work better. buff.ly/JDgdxwc
buff.ly
Wales becomes the first UK nation to introduce Automatic Voter Registration
Last week, the Welsh Government laid new regulations to introduce Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) across all 22 Welsh local authorities ahead of the 2027 local elections. This marks a
1219
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Did a little deep dive into the data for last week’s Senedd election. ⬇️
111
Reposted by Jess Blair
UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
ON THE BLOG: How will the 2026 Senedd election change Welsh politics? Following our March webinar, panellist @jessblair.bsky.social explains the changes that have been made to the Senedd and how MSs will be elected, and argues the chosen electoral system of closed lists should be replaced by STV
constitution-unit.com
How will the 2026 Senedd election change Welsh politics?
On Thursday, a new Senedd will be elected in Wales, using an altered electoral system. The result will be an enlarged Senedd, with more members than previous incarnations. Jess Blair explains the changes that have been made, analyses their pros and cons, and argues that the chosen electoral system of closed lists should be replaced with the Single Transferable Vote system (STV).
013
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
With less than a week until the Senedd election, I’ve jotted down a few thoughts on how the election itself will be different and what the issues with the changes are. 👇
043
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Delighted to be asked to offer some thoughts on the changes coming to the elections in Wales in just a couple of months. If you are keen to hear more you can catch up below 👇
042
Reposted by Jess Blair
UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
How will the 2026 Senedd election change Welsh politics? On 5 March, join @jessblair.bsky.social, @lauramcallister30.bsky.social and @paulsilk.bsky.social to discuss recent and possible future reforms to the Senedd. Sign up for this free, online event 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
066
Reposted by Jess Blair
Institute of Welsh Affairs @iwa-wales.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
Be part of Wales’ changing democracy – join us at the Senedd for expert insights on the changes ahead, and learn how to prepare your organisation for post-election engagement. Book here 👉 ow.ly/yK7N50XgONb Jess Blair Joe Rossiter Maria Drave
011
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Fascinating keynote from @mickantoniw.bsky.social at the @iwa-wales.bsky.social AGM today on the breakdown of trust in democracy and the need for radical constitutional reform.
052
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
Not a surprise to hear AVR likely not going to be in place for 2026 but it’s a problem of the Welsh Government’s making to some extent. And it’s the 400,000 missing off the register who will bear the consequences of this. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Automatic registration looking unlikely for next Senedd election
First minister says it will be a
010
Reposted by Jess Blair
Sharp End @sharpenditv.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
🥀 Support for Labour plummets in ITV Wales' poll - all the reaction from our panel @jessblair.bsky.social @adrianmasters84.bsky.social @jaclarner.bsky.social 🎥 We hear from @prifweinidog.gov.wales plus those looking to succeed her 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Elin Jones on why she's stepping down as Llywydd 📺 10:45pm
011
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Pleased to have been appointed to the Welsh Government’s Innovating Democracy Advisory Group. There’s a huge amount of work to do to get democracy in Wales to work for everyone. Looking forward to getting started. www.gov.wales/written-stat...
gov.wales
Written Statement: Innovating Democracy Advisory Group | GOV.WALES
Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
030
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Wrote this for @nation.cymru on why the next Senedd could be the least representative ever. I really hope that’s not the case but it’s up to the political parties to stop it from happening. nation.cymru/opinion/why-...
nation.cymru
Why the next Senedd could be the least representative of women ever
Jessica Blair, Director of ERS Cymru The Senedd hit the headlines back in 2003 when it became the first legislature in the world to reach 50:50 gender parity between men and women. It was a proud mome...
020
Reposted by Jess Blair
Nesta Lloyd - Jones @nestalloyd-jones.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
Really interesting discussion @plaidcymru.bsky.social conference between @jessblair.bsky.social and @rhunapiorwerth.bsky.social discussing the impact the new electoral system will have for Welsh democracy and how it should lead to improved representation and diversity
011
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
Under these plans voters could remove a badly behaving MS (good) but not get to decide on their replacement (very bad). In order for this to work & rebuild trust we need proper accountability, not a half measure. Misbehaving Welsh politicians may face recall vote www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Misbehaving Welsh Senedd politicians could be voted out
Members of the Senedd could face a referendum on their future if they are suspended.
074
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
A topical and important event coming up next week. 👇
002
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
Some end of 2024 listening now up at @hiraethpod.bsky.social!
001
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
What am I doing on my first day off of the festive season, you ask? Listening to the latest @waterslee.bsky.social podcast in the gym. Think this one might be the best yet. Some genuinely jaw dropping anecdotes 👀 open.spotify.com/episode/3JL0...
open.spotify.com
3 - Dysfunction (The Civil Service - part two)
Y Pumed Llawr - The Fifth Floor · Episode
161
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Turns out the General Election in July was not only the most disproportional election in British history, but also one of the most disproportional seen anywhere in the world. That’s quite the achievement 🥇😬
032
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Well this nearly gave me a heart attack when it went off. Stay safe everyone.
050
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
This year’s Feminist Scorecard has been released by WEN Wales & Oxfam. Spoiler alert; things aren’t good. 🔴 ratings for both fair finance & caring responsibilities. No significant progress made in any of the 6 areas.
Feminist Scorecard Report Launch event for the Feminist Scorecard report
073
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
Thought I’d give the new TfW Pay as You Go system a try after seeing it’s been rolled out. Tapped a suspicious looking machine on the platform but nothing showing on the app. Anyone know which stations are included? Ive belt & braced it and bought a ticket too 🙃 news.tfw.wales/news/pay-as-...
news.tfw.wales
Pay As You Go extended to almost 100 stations
Rail passengers travelling across the South Wales Metro can now access easier ways to pay and great value fares with a new Pay As You Go system.
110
Reposted by Jess Blair
Richard Martin @mimosacymru.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
10000% this!! @storyvillebooks.bsky.social is an amazing independent shop in #Pontypridd and was at the heart of the wonderful @eisteddfod.cymru fringe this year. They’ve been hit hard and because they’re a real shop, not a river-based wesbsite, they have stock that’s been damaged. Donate/Buy! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
04332
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Prior to photographing my cat on a radiator I was in the Senedd arguing that voters should have a fuller say in who replaces a politician who’s been kicked out for bad behaviour.
160
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Oh to be a cat on a radiator on this freezing cold day.
Max the cat warming himself on a radiator and looking very happy about it.
090
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
For anyone at Welsh Labour Conference today we’ve got a cracking fringe this lunchtime!
030
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
The next stop on the trip around Wales. 👋 Llandudno!
Llandudno bay from the path towards the Great Orme.
090
Jess Blair @jessblair.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
A few days travelling around Wales for work. First stop has been Aberaeron. Beautiful 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
The sun going down on a pebbled beach The coast line. A mix of still sea, dark pebbles and hills in the distance.
160