Andrew RT Davies vows not to use Welsh Senedd constituency names
Amelia Jones
Andrew RT Davies has criticised the decision to give Senedd constituencies Welsh-only names, claiming the move risks confusing voters.
RT Davies, who is standing in the Bridgend and Vale of Glamorgan at the next Senedd election, said residents have raised concerns about the official constituency name while he has been campaigning in the area.
The Welsh politician has been a member of the Senedd for the South Wales Central region since 2007, and has previously served as Leader of the Welsh Conservative Senedd Group from 2011 to 2018 and 2021 to 2024
Under boundary and electoral reforms ahead of the 2026 election, the constituency’s official Welsh-language name is Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg.
The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru published revised proposals for Wales’ new Senedd constituencies in December 2024.
The Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act instructed the Commission to make recommendations for 16 constituencies to replace the current 40 constituencies and 5 regions.
These new constituencies were created by pairing neighbouring Westminster constituencies to form larger electoral areas across Wales.
The 16 ‘super constituencies’ will take effect automatically at the 2026 Senedd election. Six Members of the Senedd (MSs) will be elected from each one, using the D’Hondt method currently used for the Senedd’s regional lists.
The move came as part of wider electoral reforms that will expand the Senedd from 60 to 96 members.
Welsh language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith previously welcomed the move, saying Welsh-only names help normalise the use of Welsh words and place names, and reflect the country’s national language.
In 2024, Siân Howys, Vice-Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said: “We are pleased to see the proposals that the vast majority of the Senedd’s constituencies will have Welsh-only names from now on.
“Welsh is the unique national language of Wales, and we should be proud of it, use it and promote it so that seeing and hearing Welsh words and placenames becomes normal.
“We will continue to press in our response to the new proposals for also using the Welsh language for the four current exceptions – in Caerdydd and Abertawe.
“It would be possible to give names that do not include compass directions, so that they do not need to be translated, for example Gwyr-Tawe instead of Swansea West Gower.”
Confusion
However, RT Davies said that during conversations with voters on the doorstep, some people told him they found the Welsh-only names difficult to recognise.
He said in a social media post: “Senedd constituency names should not have been Welsh only
“…On the doorstep, residents have told me the constituency’s official name, ‘Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg’, confuses them.
“On my campaign material I am using the English name so that voters clearly understand the area I am standing in.”
Senedd constituency names should not have been Welsh only. I’m standing in the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend. On the doorstep, residents have told me the constituency’s official name, “Pen Y Bont Bro Morgannwg”, confuses them. On my campaign material, I’m using the English name.
— Andrew RT Davies (@AndrewRTDavies) March 30, 2026
The post was met with criticism online. One commenter said: “A majority of people in Bridgend know the Welsh name is Pen-y-Bont, it’s on all the signs. You’re so anti Welsh.”
Another added: “You’re standing in Cymru, expect the names to be in Cymraeg. Just because you speak English doesn’t mean everyone has to bow down to you.”
RT Davies said constituency names should remain clear and accessible for voters.
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
Well, if the electorate are banjaxed by the name of their consitutency on their voting card . voting slip and mixed up due to Andrew RT Davies monolinguistic stance, perhaps Mr RT Davies should prepare himself for life outside of the senedd, no doubt his other occupation as a respected farmer may fill the void left in his daytime hours but other options remain to him post senedd:-If re-election doesn’t quite go to plan, an alternative career path suggests itself: Pothole Appreciation Officer – after years of noticing them only during campaign season, a chance to study them full-time. Ribbon-Cutting… Read more »
Has he only just realised that Welsh place names would be in the Welsh language?
Did he miss the announcement?
Perhaps his party need to take more involvement in the Senedds activities?
Quote: “However, RT Davies said that during conversations with voters on the doorstep, some people told him they found the Welsh-only names difficult to recognise.” Well, how about trying to learn how to say them! After all you learned how to say them in Saesneg!!
“..and Conference mark my words we will make breakfast, brexit, a success”
Andrew RT Davies, 4 October 2016.
Poor Andrew, even English words have proven problematic at times.
Whatever for.
I see we have a full set of Taffies here today.
Insular full of puss and wind
C’mon now don’t go upsetting Frankie and don’t down vote him whatever you do
Does not matter what he does, no one is going to read anything from him or his party-they are yesterday’s bad news without any relevance for today.
Good thing he will probably lose his coveted seat at the next Senedd election then
Whether Andrew RT Davies believes “Senedd constituency names should not have been Welsh only” is immaterial. The Democracy and Boundary Commission has made its decision and all candidates, regardless of party, should abide by that ruling.
Should Andrew RT Davies gain a seat in the new Senedd, then he’s more than welcome to spend his valuable time and efforts campaigning to make that change.
He’ll be gone in 6 weeks.
RT, please stop you are being a bit silly on this one. Why should we pay for more paperwork to stick two names on every bit of paper?
I’m honestly surprised that he hasn’t defected to Reform yet, given his jingoistic British nationalism and hatred of all things Welsh. Dic Siôn Dafydd go iawn. Quisling.
Do we ever hear him attacking Reform?
In 1972 the Tory Westminster government passed a local government act and created Dyfed, Gwent, Gwynedd, Powys and Clwyd. These Welsh only names must have really upset RT Davies. I guess he has been brooding over it ever since to such an extent when we have an election where we are facing many realtime issues such as health waiting lists, standards in schools and many other bread and butter issues he is harping on about the names of constituencies. No wonder with thinking like that recent opinion polls suggest his party could be facing an electoral wipe out.
With the amount of hatred this man has for Cymru and the fact he’s completely useless, I’m really shocked he hasn’t jumped ship to Reform with the rest of them.
He’s not Welsh then!
It matters not.
He’s completely irrelevant.
He obviously didn’t know that the Conservatives were the first party to give official status to the Welsh Language despite opposition from the Labour Party.
He really knows how to make himself and the conservatives appeal in Wales.
A shame as if the Welsh conservatives weren’t so useless they might gain some votes from Reform who are an even worse option.