Dissatisfaction Brews Ahead of Senedd Election: 20mph Campaigners Call for ‘Democratic Renewal’ in Wales

Written by Lisa Baker

With just a year to go until the 2026 Senedd election, campaign groups opposing the Welsh Government’s controversial 20mph speed limit are calling on the public to make their voices heard at the ballot box—accusing the Labour-led administration of being out of touch, unaccountable, and dismissive of public concerns.

Mark Baker, the petitioner behind what has become the largest petition in Welsh political history, garnering nearly half a million signatures, expressed his frustration at the lack of change despite promises to the contrary. The petition, which challenged the blanket rollout of 20mph speed limits across Wales, was debated in the Senedd with only a handful of Welsh Labour Members of the Senedd (MSs) in attendance.

“That moment made it clear,” said Baker. “They weren’t just ignoring the petition—they were ignoring the people.”

The backlash against the speed limit policy has galvanized a collection of grassroots groups including “20 IS NOT PLENTY”, “United Voices”, “Action Against 20mph Speed Limits”, and “20mph Democracy in Wales”. These groups, spanning the political spectrum, say they’re united by a common cause: holding the Welsh government accountable.

“The Welsh Government says it’s listening, but their actions tell a different story,” said a spokesperson from United Voices. “You can’t claim to care about public opinion while pushing through policies that clearly lack support—and independent evidence.”

Critics have also pointed to the government’s recent decision to expand the Senedd by 36 members at a projected cost of more than £120 million. “It’s a tone-deaf move during a cost-of-living crisis,” said a member of Action Against 20mph Speed Limits. “They tell us there’s no money for hospitals or transport, but there’s somehow money for more politicians and vanity policies.”

Campaigners claim this is part of a larger pattern—which they describe as a “culture of wilful ignorance” within the Welsh Government. Through Freedom of Information requests, they’ve attempted to expose what they see as the real costs and limited impact assessments behind the 20mph rollout. They argue that public money has been misdirected into so-called “vanity projects” such as the planting of trees in Uganda via the environmental charity Size of Wales and cycling infrastructure initiatives via cycling lobby group Sustrans, which they say do not match the practical needs of the Welsh population.

“We’re not against safer streets or greener policies,” added Baker. “But you can’t ignore geography, economy, and basic public services while chasing slogans.”

As the election approaches, campaigners are urging voters to reflect on Welsh Labour’s 26 years in power. “This is about so much more than just speed limits,” one group representative said. “It’s about years of stagnation, poor services, and decisions made without the people’s consent.”

The groups are also critical of Plaid Cymru’s cooperation deal with Labour, which they argue has pushed unpopular policies through the Senedd. Even the Welsh Conservatives, often very vocal in opposition, are being challenged to “step up and present a real alternative to the status quo in Wales.” And the sole Liberal Democrat MS has drawn criticism for prioritizing niche legislation over key service reform.

The 20mph law, some say, has become symbolic of deeper public frustrations.

“It’s not just about roads,” said Baker. “It’s about who gets to make decisions, how they’re made, and whether the people’s voice actually matters anymore.  It’s also about honesty, transparency and accountability to the electorate – not just doing what you like once elected.”

The message from campaigners is clear: voters must use the 2026 election to demand change, even if residents have never voted before.

“Your vote is your voice,” said a representative from 20 IS NOT PLENTY. “If we don’t use it wisely, we’ll get more of the same—more policies nobody asked for, more silence when we speak, and more money spent where it shouldn’t be.”

Campaigners have even released their own song on You Tube, ‘The Call of the Valleys’ urging people to vote in the Senedd elections next year, and the countdown to what campaigners are hoping will be a “democratic renewal” has begun.

Whether this discontent will translate into a shift in power remains to be seen—but the rising dissatisfaction and results of recent elections in England show that across the UK, there is no guarantee that things will stay as they have always been.

Ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections, campaigners believe the time is right for massive change – and for now, these grassroots voices are making themselves heard loud and clear.

The group statement in full is here

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Disclosure:

NTSI Publishing  owner and editor Lisa Baker is married to 20mph Petitioner Mark Baker.

While the author has done her best to provide an accurate summary of the group’s joint statement, in the interests of transparency, it is important that readers are aware of this association.   This article does not endorse or support any political party or organisation and voters are invited to form their own conclusions.

Image: Deposit Photos