Ken Skates Leads Welsh Labour in New Fflint-Wrecsam Constituency

The Member of the Senedd for Clwyd South, Ken Skates, has been selected as the lead candidate for Welsh Labour in the newly established Fflint-Wrecsam constituency for the upcoming Senedd election in May 2026. Skates, who has represented Clwyd South since 2011, currently serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales.

The changes to constituencies come after recommendations from the Boundary Commission for Wales, which revealed last year that the existing 40 constituencies and five regions will be replaced with just 16 multi-member wards. This overhaul includes the creation of three new “super-constituencies” across North Wales: Bangor Conwy Môn, Clwyd, and Fflint-Wrecsam. As part of this transformation, the number of Senedd members will increase from 60 to 96, moving away from the first-past-the-post voting system to a fully proportional representation model designed to more accurately reflect voter preferences.

Welsh Labour confirmed Skates as their top candidate for Fflint-Wrecsam last week. Following him on the shortlist are Jack Sergeant, currently representing Alyn and Deeside, in second place, and Corin Jarvis, a local councillor, in third. Other candidates include Norma Ann Davies, George Stephen Thomas, Tracey Jane Sutton-Postlethwaite, Richard James Brookes, and Malcom Nicholls.

Skates expressed his deep commitment to the communities he has served, stating, “It has been the honour of my life to serve the people of Clwyd South since 2011, and I will be extremely sad to say goodbye to the communities and constituents I have worked alongside when our constituency ceases to exist.” He emphasized his dedication to continue advocating for local issues until the current constituency is dissolved.

In his remarks, Skates highlighted his local roots, noting, “I was born at the Maelor and studied at Yale College, and I want to continue fighting for local communities – many of which I’ve represented over the last 14 years.” He affirmed his resolve to seek a more favorable deal for North Wales from both Westminster and the Welsh Government, asserting, “North Wales needs people who stand up for our region and our communities.”

The electoral reform for the 2026 elections will allow all registered voters aged 16 and over to cast their votes either for a party or an independent candidate. The new “closed proportional list” system requires voters to select a party or independent candidate rather than individual representatives. Furthermore, elections will occur every four years instead of five, and candidates must now reside in Wales to be eligible.

Skates acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “The 2026 Senedd election may be the toughest many of us have fought since the dawn of devolution. A new electoral system, new constituencies, and an unprecedented, deeply worrying attack on progressive politics by the far right looms over us. Wales’ future is at stake.” His selection as lead candidate was determined by a ballot of local Welsh Labour members.

As political landscapes shift, the upcoming election is set to reshape representation in Wales significantly, with Skates at the forefront of this transition.