News & Trends, Public Affairs - 10 September 2025
How to influence ahead of 2026
With less than eight months to go until the next Senedd election, Welsh politics is heating up.
We’ve recently heard from Eluned Morgan, First Minister for Wales, reflecting on her party’s achievements and the challenges ahead in the run-up to May’s vote. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is making gains in by-elections, Plaid Cymru has marked its 100th anniversary, and defections from the Conservatives to other parties have made headlines.
One thing is clear, the political landscape in Wales will look different next spring, no matter how you spin it.
With party announcements and pledges becoming more frequent, tracking manifestos and understanding what they mean for your organisation has never been more important. Have you clearly set out your organisation’s position? Are you engaging with candidates and influencers before they’re in post?
Why pre-positioning matters now
The weeks and months leading up to an election are not simply a waiting game. They are a window of opportunity to:
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Shape the conversation before positions harden.
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Build relationships with those who could soon be in decision-making roles.
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Ensure your priorities are understood and reflected in policy debates, and indeed, potentially in future policy.
Organisations that wait until after the election to act will be on the back foot playing catch up, if indeed they can.
The role of stakeholder mapping
Understanding and engaging the right stakeholders has never been more critical. Whether you’re navigating regulatory change, seeking community buy-in, or building strategic influence, you need to know:
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Who the key influencers, decision-makers and hidden stakeholders are.
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Where their interests, alliances, and potential risks lie.
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How best to engage them with targeted, tailored approaches that foster trust and reduce friction.
At Effective, our public affairs service is designed to do exactly that , helping organisations identify, map, and connect with the people who matter most.
Tracking manifestos to inform strategy
The run-up to the 2026 Senedd election will bring a flurry of manifesto commitments. Each represents both a potential risk and an opportunity for your organisation. Systematically tracking, analysing, and responding to these pledges ensures you:
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Stay ahead of regulatory or funding changes.
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Align your messaging with emerging policy priorities.
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Demonstrate you’re informed, prepared, and proactive.
Preparing for the 2026 Senedd elections
The 2026 election isn’t just another vote, it will be the first under the reformed Senedd structure. This shift in representation could reshape how decisions are made and who makes them. Pre-positioning now will ensure your organisation is ready to influence and adapt, rather than react.
Stakeholder engagement is no longer optional
If you’d like to review your current stakeholder mapping and engagement plan, we can explore how to put a tailored strategy in place to give you the best possible footing ahead of May 2026.
Keep reading...
The New Centres of Influence in Wales: Why stakeholder mapping matters more than ever
News & Trends, Public Affairs - 13 July 2026
