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Plan for gender-balanced Senedd ‘lacks teeth’

12 Nov 2024 3 minute read
The Senedd. Image: Welsh Government

Chris Haines ICNN Senedd reporter

Voluntary guidance aimed at making the Welsh Parliament more representative of the population lacks any real teeth, Senedd members warned.

Sioned Williams described new draft guidance for political parties on diversity and inclusion as “too little, too late”, with the next Senedd election less than 18 months away.

Plaid Cymru’s shadow social justice secretary said the voluntary guidance has no teeth after the Welsh Government scrapped a proposed law on gender quotas in September.

She said: “Although any and all steps to try to increase diversity in politics are very welcome, I am deeply disappointed at the rolling back by the Welsh Government.”

Ms Williams suggested a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure a 50:50 gender split may have been missed, given the current progressive majority in the Senedd.

‘Limited’

She said: “Candidates are already declaring their intention to stand.

“Voluntary guidance, which won’t be ready for months, really isn’t going to achieve that change for the Senedd elections in 2026.”

Her Plaid Cymru colleague Heledd Fychan pointed out there will be no penalties nor repercussions if political parties do not implement the guidance.

The Conservatives’ Darren Millar criticised a lack of engagement from the Welsh Government since legislation on gender quotas was withdrawn.

He questioned a “limited” focus on other aspects of equality such as age, faith and disability.

Mr Millar, who represents Clwyd West, said: “We very much hope when the final guidance is published it will be reflective of that broader range of characteristics.”

‘Sizeable risk’

Jane Dodds, the Liberal Democrats’ leader in Wales, raised the Electoral Reform Society’s warning of a “sizeable risk” the next Senedd could be the least gender-balanced in history.

She told the debating chamber or Siambr: “The evidence is clear: legislative gender quotas are the only way to achieve gender-balanced Senedds.”

Ms Dodds, who represents Mid and West Wales, suggested political expediency and party interests were prioritised over women’s representation and democratic reform.

Hannah Blythyn, a Labour backbencher who represents Delyn, said making the Senedd more representative not only changes the face of politics but its focus too.

Ms Blythyn said: “We’ve talked about other protected characteristics and as an out lesbian, I’m very much in the minority in this place still and I’d like to see that diversity grow.”

‘Huge disappointment’

In a statement to the Senedd on November 12, Jane Hutt recognised “huge disappointment” that gender quotas will not be underpinned by law.

Describing the draft guidance as a catalyst for change, the social justice secretary stressed that the Welsh Government remains committed to a gender-balanced Senedd.

Ms Hutt explained the final guidance, which is also aimed at council elections, will be published in spring following confirmation of new boundaries for the 2026 Senedd poll.

Pointing to measures under the Elections and Elected Bodies Act passed in July, she said: “We all know the guidance alone is not enough to ensure we achieve diversity in politics.”

She added: “Women are an under-represented majority in this Senedd. By including the section on voluntary gender quotas in the guidance, I want all parties to recognise the importance of considering what action they may take to increase women’s representation.”

consultation on the draft guidance closes on January 7.


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HarrisR
HarrisR
26 days ago

With the Reform wolves snarling at the door, it’s good to see all the Wales farmyard animals deeply concerned about the plus/minus make up of their own numbers. As the wider Welsh public look on and distractedly wonder who will be first ones eaten for dinner…

“Let’s hope it’s not a multi gendered but non identifying, sexually fluid goose”, they mumble. Hopefully.

Rob
Rob
26 days ago

This is utterly ridiculous. We elect our candidates on the ability to do the job and represent our views, and NOT whether or not they are male or female.

Old Curmudgeon
Old Curmudgeon
26 days ago
Reply to  Rob

I agree with you but in 2026 Are we still going to be able to elect our candidates on ability if we are only going to be voting for a party?

Owain Morgan
Owain Morgan
26 days ago
Reply to  Rob

Rubbish!! We vote for Governments based on our personal circumstances. We then vote for platforms based on a protest or who we perceive will solve the problems WE want solved. How else do you explain Americans voting for an adjudicated Rapist, a 34 times convicted Felon and an admitted Sex Offender to be their President, again 🙄🤨😒

Rob
Rob
25 days ago
Reply to  Owain Morgan

Probably because the cost of living was better in the 2010s then it is in the 2020s. I don’t like Trump and far from happy that he is coming back, the rise in inflation is a global phenomenon post-pandemic not necessarily Biden’s fault, but most people will vote in how much income they get. If Nikki Haley was the nominee she probably would have won as well.

Jeff
Jeff
26 days ago
Reply to  Rob

Boris Johnson eh?

Cwm Rhondda
Cwm Rhondda
26 days ago

Yawn, can we please have members of the Senedd who have an intellect, who are hard working, and have integrity – lets just settle for this at the moment.

Owain Morgan
Owain Morgan
26 days ago
Reply to  Cwm Rhondda

I’ll remind you of this comment when there are even more men in the Senedd in 18 months time and many of them come from the Fascist party that believe there are simple solutions to complex problems 🙄

Owain Morgan
Owain Morgan
26 days ago

Oh look men who don’t care that women are under-represented 🙄 How do you properly represent women and women’s issues if they’re not adequately represented? Please do tell me?

Rob
Rob
25 days ago
Reply to  Owain Morgan

What makes you assume that you speak on behalf of women or that women candidates will represent women’s concerns? Thatcher, Liz Truss, didn’t. Neither does Natasha Ashgar or Kemi Badenoch. In fact Thatcher was known to be sexist against female civil servants which even her male felt uncomfortable with. Yes we should have measures to ensure that discrimination does not happen, but quotas are an affront to democracy, it is also sexist because not only does it create divisions between male and female candidates but assumes that women politicians need a quota system to get into politics. This is also… Read more »

Why vote
Why vote
26 days ago

When will this stop?
Male/female,
left handed/right handed,
blonde/ ginger,
brown eyes/blue eyes,
below 1.6m/above 1.6m,
Eats corn flakes for breakfast,
or
Are competent, are capable.

Owain Morgan
Owain Morgan
26 days ago
Reply to  Why vote

Your comment implies women aren’t competent. Do you think women aren’t competent? Why do so many men reject the idea of more women being elected? After all Females are in the majority across the UK. Why shouldn’t they be better represented?

Why vote
Why vote
25 days ago
Reply to  Owain Morgan

What about left handed people, or people with different colour hair, short or tall people, people with different colour eyes? Am I implying they are not competent? Would you not want the best qualified and experienced person to stand for Welsh government and be competent and capable of running the country when we eventually gain independence? Male or female it matters not.

Rob
Rob
25 days ago
Reply to  Owain Morgan

Quote: “Your comment implies women aren’t competent”
Is that what ‘Why vote’ said? It feels like you are putting words into his mouth

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