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The Senedd Cymru, the Welsh Government, passed legislation in March 2026 that paves the way for making it a criminal offence for candidates (and potential elected members) to deliberately lie or make false/misleading statements of fact during Senedd election campaigns. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8n99727lvo
The Senedd Cymru is the devolved, unicameral legislature of Wales. It represents the interests of Wales and its people, makes laws in devolved areas, agrees on Welsh taxes and holds the government to account. It does not control reserved matters like defence, foreign policy, policing, justice or most benefits, which remain with the UK Parliament.
Key Details of the Law
· Bill Name: Part of the Senedd Cymru (Member Accountability and Elections) Bill (also referred to in the context of Member Accountability reforms).
· Passed: 17 March 2026, with overwhelming support (50 votes in favour, 1 against – from Reform UK’s Laura Anne Jones).
· What it does:
· Places a duty on Welsh ministers to introduce a new criminal offence for making or publishing false or misleading statements of fact intended to help an election candidate.
· Focuses on election campaigns (not general lying by politicians once in office).
· Aims to tackle misinformation, rebuild public trust in politics and strengthen accountability.
The Covid-19 pandemic years had us listening to politicians endlessly rabbiting on like never before – at least not in this generation. These leaders constantly displayed their ignorance of medical issues, blatantly used outrageous manipulation of facts against their people and some even spouted grossly dangerous lies. Prior to this phenomenon there was a measure of confidence in politicians around Western democracies. We mainly let them get on with their jobs. It is what it is...
Not any more! Trust in what these politicians now say is at an all-time low.
New Zealanders, for example, cannot forget Jacinda Ardern bleating for months with sustained propaganda and messaging: proselytising and bigging up the Covid-19 injections. It was ‘safe and effective’ – for all ages and even pregnant mums. It now makes us shake with rage at her lies. It is now widely known to be completely the opposite and they knew. Thousands are vaccine injured and some died.
The Welsh Government’s noble endeavour to rebuild some trust by outlawing lying, even if only in electioneering, is interesting. A moral code making lying a criminal offence has merits, but also raises questions. Who makes the judgement on what is a lie? Many would say this does not go far enough. Politicians can still lie once in office.
Would any New Zealand political party electioneer on such a policy as the Welsh Government this 2026 election?
