Image Source: Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament under Creative Commons Licence BY-4.0
Badges are a way to provide at-a-glance information about a Senedd Member without needing to go into any detail.
Some badges are shown from the very beginning of the Senedd term. Others are only awarded at the end of every Senedd year (in July); these are based on performances or are triggered by specific actions or events.
Recurring/Ongoing Badges
Businessperson
This MS has experience of running their own business (including farmers) – regardless of how big or small – or being on the board of directors for a business.
Veteran
This MS has served in the regular UK Armed Forces (not reservists or cadets).
Political Staff
Has worked either as party staff, as parliamentary staff or in the office of a senior politician.
Lobbyist
Has ever worked as a lobbyist/public affairs or for a think tank.
Charity Worker or Trustee
Has ever been employed by a charity/NGO/third sector organisation and/or is a trustee of a charity.
Student Politician
Has ever held a sabbatical officer role or led a students’ union.
Teacher/Academic
Has ever worked in teaching, academia, or for a university or college in a non-teaching role.
Healthcare Professional
Has ever worked in healthcare (medicine, dentistry, optician, pharmacist, nursing, clinical scientist, advocacy/support services, administrator etc.).
Media
Has ever worked as a journalist, in public relations or in broadcasting.
Trade Unionist
Member of, or worked for, a trade union. Includes declared inactive memberships.
Council Cabinet
Has ever been a leader of a local authority or a member of a local authority’s Cabinet.
Siaradwyr Cymraeg
Has confidently used the Welsh language during Senedd proceedings.
Property Interests
Has declared a property interest under the Senedd’s rules (housing, commercial or land), regardless of whether they make money from it.
In some circumstances, this may include properties declared on behalf of family/partners, vacant properties, or properties in the process of being sold.
Keeping it in the Family
This Member has declared that they employ the relative of another MS, or vice versa. MSs are banned from employing their own relatives.
Freemason
MS is a declared Freemason.
Used to Be
Former political parties (each instance).
Backbench Rebellions
The number of times a Government MS has voted against the government.
Job Adverts
The number of jobs this MS has advertised via the Senedd Commission. Jobs advertised for a party group will be counted under the party profile page instead of the group leader.
Jobs advertised jointly (i.e. staff working in an office shared by multiple MSs) will count as 1 job for each MS they’re employed by, but will only count as 1 job for the overall party total.
Unofficially, if an MS has difficulty recruiting or retaining staff after their constituency office has been set up (i.e. after the first 6 months to a year) it could be a sign of problems behind the scenes.
Annual Badges
There’ll be a full list published in July 2027 (ahead of the first award).
