Written Statement: Constitutional Reform: Appointment of the Chair of the Innovating Democracy Advisory Group

The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales published their final report in 2024. The Welsh Government accepted the Commission’s recommendations in full, and they were endorsed by the Senedd.

Creation of the Innovating Democracy Advisory Group

The Final Report recommended that an expert panel is created, to advise Welsh Government and partners on expanding the use of democratic innovation and enhance civic engagement in public life. To progress this work, I have appointed Dr Anwen Elias as chair of a new Innovating Democracy Advisory Group, the wider membership for which will be appointed in due course through open competition. Dr Anwen Elias was a Commissioner on the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales. In that role, she contributed specific expertise in civic engagement, particularly in establishing the citizens panels and designing the Community Engagement Fund. Through her experience as a Commissioner, she will ensure that the Commission’s findings will continue to inform the work of the Group.

Dr Elias is a Reader in Politics at the Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University. Educated at Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi, Llandysul, she is a graduate of Cambridge University and the European University Institute, Florence, where she completed a PhD in Political and Social Science. Her research interests include comparative territorial and constitutional politics, political parties, and citizens’ involvement in democratic politics. Dr Elias has an extensive knowledge of democratic innovations around the world and has a particular expertise in using creative methods to support citizen participation and deliberation. 

I will provide a further update to Senedd Members in due course on the full membership of the new Advisory Group and its work programme.