PRESSURE from women’s groups led today to the Welsh government postponing planned gender quotas for Senedd elections until the 2030 Senedd election.

The Welsh Parliament will expand from 60 to 96 members in the 2026 election, elected under a closed list system.

The Welsh government planned to include gender quotas for women to ensure equal numbers in the enlarged Senedd but concerns have been raised that there could be legal challenges to the law.

The Llywydd, or Presiding Officer, Elin Jones has warned that the Senedd does not have the power to pass the Bill.

Women’s Rights Network Wales (WRNW) wrote to all MSs outlining concerns, including that the Bill could be in breach of the Equality Act 2010.

Cathy Larkman of WRNW said: “It is unclear if the definition of ‘woman’ as used in the Bill has the same definition as the Equality Act 2010 (ie a female of any age). 

“If it does not, then it will not comply with UK-wide equality legislation (a reserved matter) and is beyond the legislative competence of the Welsh government.”