Jane Hutt MS, Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
Today, the Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill and Explanatory Memorandum is laid before the Senedd.
The Bill aims to make the Senedd more effective by better reflecting the gender make-up of people in Wales.
It makes provision to introduce integrated statutory gender quotas to the system provided for in the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill for electing Members of the Senedd (MSs). The provisions will apply where a registered political party chooses to submit a list or lists of candidates for election to the Senedd. The Bill creates rules with which such candidate lists must comply.
The Bill is part of a package of reforms aimed at strengthening the Senedd that includes the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill, which is currently being scrutinised by the Senedd. It delivers on the recommendation of the Senedd’s Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform that the Welsh Government brings forward legislation in this area. This Bill forms part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.
I look forward to scrutiny of the Bill by Members, and to hearing the views of stakeholders, delivery partners, and the public during the legislative process.