Press release by the Diverse5050 campaign: Dropping of gender quotas legislation risks backstep on women’s representation, warn campaigners

The ditching of a new bill aiming to deliver a gender balanced parliament has been labelled hugely disappointing by leading equalities organisations.

The Diverse5050 campaign, made up of Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales, the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) Cymru, Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales (EYST) and Race Council Cymru, has warned that the Welsh Government’s announcement that they were dropping the Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill could see fewer women elected in future elections, and has raised concerns around the representation of ethnic minority women in the Senedd.

Victoria Vasey, Director of WEN Wales, said:

“Diverse and equal representation is key to the legitimacy and health of our democratic institutions. In 2003, the Senedd was the first legislature in the world to achieve gender parity but missed the mark in every election since. International evidence shows that quotas are the single most effective tool in advancing women’s representation, because they address one of the main barriers, which are unequitable party selection processes.

“The Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill would have been an opportunity for Wales to once again be a trailblazer on women’s representation. The decision to withdraw the Bill after the Senedd agreed its general principles is extremely disappointing. This is a lost opportunity, but it must not be lost forever.”

Jess Blair, Director of ERS Cymru, said:

“The Welsh Government’s decision to drop plans for gender quotas at the next Senedd election is a huge step back for Welsh democracy and risks seeing the Senedd becoming the least representative it has ever been at the next election.

“Equal representation of women should be a basic requirement in any legislature, but underrepresentation could now become baked in at Cardiff Bay as all decisions on representation will be left to the whims of the political parties.

“The dropping of gender quotas also completely strips away any justification for the Senedd moving to the Closed List electoral system. We have repeatedly warned that this system will mean for the first time Welsh voters will not be able to vote for a named candidate.

“The Senedd now needs to urgently review the move to the Closed List system, and we would urge them to move to a fairer voting system that delivers proportionality as well as accountability, such as the Single Transferable Vote (STV).”

Selima Bahadur, Programme Manager, All Wales Black Asian Minority Ethnic Engagement Team at EYST said:

“We were hopeful that this legislation, combined with the wider diversity measures that are underway, would give more ethnic minority women the confidence and opportunity to claim politics as a place where they belong.

“After all the hard work, the decision to withdraw the bill is hugely disappointing and will take us two steps backwards in our fight for diverse and equal representation.”

Nkechi Allen Dawson, Lead Policy Officer, Race Council Cymru, said:

“To say that the Bill’s withdrawal is disappointing is an understatement. In fact, the plans being scrapped puts the new government in a perilous position as our communities are doubtful that ensuring equal representation is in fact central to the vision for a more effective and inclusive parliament. The passing of the Bill would have shown real tenacity and grit from the government in terms of its commitment to a gender-balanced Senedd.

“Despite the development, RCC believes that there has to be a pan-equalities bill around inclusion for all. This will ultimately yield better outcomes for our communities. We are optimistic that this legislation, along with broader diversity reforms, would give more ethnic minority women the impetus they need to put themselves forward in Welsh politics and feel a sense of cynefin.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Statement from Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip available at: https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-senedd-cymru-electoral-candidate-lists-bill-0
• For questions or interview requests please contact Mike Wright 07525441135 / mike.wright@electoral-reform.org.uk