Advocacy after the Senedd election 2026

16 June 2026

The Senedd election took place on 7 May but that doesn’t mean our advocacy work stops there.

This is the opportune moment to engage with your newly elected (or re-elected) Members of the Senedd (MSs) and make sure they understand the value of your museum and see it as worthy of investment. You are represented in the Senedd by six MSs and all six represent you equally.

It is important to build a relationship with your local MSs even if your museum doesn’t receive government funding.

If MSs are aware of issues affecting your museum, they are more likely to advocate on your behalf.

Call to action

Contact your local MSs to congratulate them and invite them to visit your museum. It’s by seeing things firsthand that politicians can appreciate the significance of your collections and the importance of the museum to the local community. You can find your MSs on the Senedd website.

Top tips for engaging with MSs

• Make your letter personal. Use the template letter as a starting point but make sure you tailor it to your specific context. MSs receive a lot of letters so this can help to make sure yours stands out
• Make it clear why you want them to visit and what they will get out of the visit, e.g. to introduce them to the work of the museum and how it is having a transformational impact on people living in their constituency
• Create key messages you want to get across when you speak to them so that you can make the most of the time you have with them
• Share the successes and the challenges. MSs can help to amplify these issues which can help the museum to receive recognition and support
• Keep the dialogue going. Once you have established a good relationship with your local MSs, make sure to keep them updated and engaged with your work

Template email

Dear [insert MS name here],

Congratulations on being elected to the Senedd to represent the people of [insert constituency name].

I am the [insert role title here] at [insert museum name here], a museum in your constituency that [insert the museum’s mission and its impact].

Museums in Wales are at the heart of our local communities. We provide a sense of place – Cynefin – and belonging – Perthyn, enhance health and wellbeing and improve community cohesion.

I would like to meet you and invite you for a tour of the museum so you can see firsthand the positive impact we are making. Please contact me at [insert phone/email here] to arrange your visit.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

[insert name here]