Politics
Supreme Court looms as gender quotas bill progresses
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PLANS to introduce gender quotas in Senedd elections moved a step closer amid concerns the bill is “highly likely” to be challenged in the Supreme Court.
Senedd members agreed the general principles of the gender quotas bill, which would require at least half of a political party’s candidates to be women.
Jane Hutt reiterated her position Wales has the necessary powers to pass the bill but confirmed implementation would be delayed until the 2030 election.
She said the plans were pushed back due to concerns about the potential impact of legal challenges on the conduct and outcome of the 2026 election.
Ms Hutt, who is in charge of the bill, said the landmark legislation would make the Senedd more effective as well as more reflective of the people it serves.
Adam Price, who represents Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, urged the Welsh Government to work with Labour colleagues in Westminster to grant Wales the required powers.
The former Plaid Cymru leader said an order – under section 109 of the 2006 Government of Wales Act – could bring the bill within the Welsh Parliament’s scope.
Mr Price argued a section 109 order would take the reasons the Welsh Government has given for delaying implementation to 2030 off the table completely.
He asked: “Why couldn’t we apply for that order in council today, from a Labour government at Westminster, so that we can have a gender-balanced parliament in 2026?”
Ms Hutt replied that a section 109 order would not put the question of whether the Senedd has powers beyond doubt, nor remove the risk of referral to the Supreme Court.
David Rees, who chaired the Senedd reform committee tasked with scrutinising the bill, raised witnesses’ concerns that gender quotas could be susceptible to abuse.
He reiterated calls for any false statement on nomination forms to be an electoral offence, a committee recommendation that was rejected by the Welsh Government.
The Labour backbencher said the committee heard conflicting views on whether the Senedd has the necessary powers but most evidence from legal advisers suggested it does not.
In a letter to MSs when the bill was introduced in March, Elin Jones explained her position that the bill relates to a reserved matter and is not within the Senedd’s powers.
The Senedd’s speaker or Llywydd said her view was based on legal tests and advice as she stressed that the question can only be definitely answered by the Supreme Court.
Mike Hedges, chair of the Senedd legislation committee, warned the bill could give the Welsh Government a “blank cheque” to legislate on some electoral matters.
Outlining his committee’s recommendations, he raised concern about the balance between the details in the bill itself and those that will be left to subordinate legislation.
Mr Hedges, a Labour backbencher who represents Swansea East, was disappointed by a decision to curtail scrutiny of the bill – only for the “stage-one” debate to be delayed.
Peredur Owen Griffiths, who chairs the finance committee, raised concerns about the unquantified cost of the bill being referred to the Supreme Court.
The Plaid Cymru politician pointed out that this is the first time the Llywydd has issued a statement that a bill would not be within powers.
Darren Millar, for the Conservatives, opposed the bill and the principle of gender quotas, arguing the proposed system is neither proportionate nor appropriate.
He said the reform committee heard the bill is highly likely to be challenged in the courts.
The Tory told the Senedd the bill bears little resemblance to the initial plan for gender-zipped lists which was “hatched” in a Labour-Plaid Cymru agreement.
He said the system would allow political parties to put forward lists of candidates that could be 100% female but only a maximum of up to 50% male.
Mr Millar, who represents Clwyd West, warned the bill pits one aspect of diversity, gender, against others “which are completely ignored” such as disability, age, faith and race.
Heledd Fychan, for Plaid Cymru, told the chamber gender equality is vital for a healthy and functioning democracy, expressing disappointment at the delay.
Picking up on comments from Mr Millar about people being elected on merit, the South Wales Central representative said: “We are not in an equal society; there are so many barriers that stop women from being able to be appointed to a myriad of different roles.”
Ms Fychan said the problem is not unique to Wales, with only six countries having a 50% or higher proportion of women in their parliaments.
“At the current rate … gender parity won’t be achieved globally until 2063 at the earliest,” she said, adding that female politicians face terrifying levels of hate, sexism and harassment.
Ms Fychan called on the Welsh Government to unequivocally demand the relevant powers.
Carolyn Thomas, a Labour backbencher who represents North Wales, said she once believed in meritocracy but she has experienced unconscious bias “time and time again”.
Rhys ab Owen, an ex-barrister who sits as an independent, raised concerns about “weak” wording, such as the use of “may” rather than “must” in section 71 of the bill.
Ms Hutt, who is chief whip and Trefnydd, the Welsh Government’s business manager, said ministers are considering the section 109 route but she stressed it is not straightforward.
Following the July 16 debate, MSs voted 39-14 in favour of the general principles of the bill, which now moves to the first amending phase in the Senedd’s four-stage legislative process.
If passed, the counsel general or attorney general – the Welsh and UK Government’s chief legal advisers, respectively – have four weeks to refer the bill to the Supreme Court.
News
Plans submitted for homes for the elderly in Milford Haven
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A COUNCIL scheme to build 24 affordable homes for the elderly at the site of the former Motor World building in Milford Haven has been submitted to planners.
W B Griffiths & Sons Ltd, on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council, is seeking approval for the construction of a new residential redevelopment to comprise 24 affordable apartments for the elderly at 70A-80A Charles Street.
It is proposed to build 21 one-bed apartments and three two-bed apartments at the four-five storey building, along with a communal residents’ lounge on each floor, 10 on-site parking spaces, soft landscaping and trees.
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The proposed building will be four-storeys from Charles Street to the north and five-storeys from Barlow Street to the south due to the change in topography from north to south.
The former Motor World site was cleared in 2018 to enable redevelopment, with planning permission granted on the site for the development of 15 affordable apartments for over-55s in 2020.
The area had been an eyesore for several years before demolition; former councillor Stephen Joseph saying at the time the flats scheme would fill “a great big ugly hole in the town centre that’s been there a long time now,” adding at the time: “The previous building was an eyesore.”
Back in 2021, site contractors WRW construction, which had a number of projects ongoing in Pembrokeshire, including building 33 affordable homes on the site of the former Johnston CP School, as well as work in Tiers Cross, was put into administration by its directors under what was described as, ‘significant financial stress’.
The latest application, submitted through agent DPP Planning, follows a public consultation earlier this year.
DPP Planning, in its consultation statement for the latest application, has previously said: “The council has now instructed W B Griffiths, a Pembrokeshire-based construction company, to develop the site subject to a number of changes.
“The main change is to increase the number of apartments on site to 24 to make best use of the site by increasing the availability of affordable homes for over-55s.”
In its new supporting statement, which references flats for the elderly, it says: “In March 2023, Pembrokeshire County Council re-tendered the scheme to a number of contractors based on the original scheme, but with a revised brief to increase the number of dwellings. This initiated a significant material amendment to the scheme. The new brief increased the number of apartments from 15 to 24 to be achieved within the footprint of the original scheme.”
It adds: “The design proposals aim to place a new building within Charles Street which respects the existing character of the street in terms of form, scale and materials, but which also delivers a building, which is immediately recognisable within the street through its design quality and the sense of place it creates.”
The application will be considered by planners at a later date.
News
Former Wales first minister Vaughan Gething will stand down at next election
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FORMER First Minister Vaughan Gething has confirmed that he will step down at the next election and does not intend to pursue a role in his successor’s cabinet.
The Cardiff South and Penarth MS stepped down from his role as First Minister in July after four of his cabinet ministers resigned. Speaking at a constituency event this evening, Mr. Gething informed party members that he will not seek re-election in 2026.
In a statement released tonight, Mr. Gething said: “The unwavering support of local members throughout my 13 years of representing them has been a significant source of strength, particularly during these recent months. I take pride in having worked alongside them since the late 1990s, first as a campaigner and then as a councillor before my election to the Senedd. I have always been mindful that the platform I hold in public life is built on the foundations of our movement.”
He added that he had informed First Minister Eluned Morgan of his decision not to seek a role in her upcoming cabinet reshuffle, which is expected soon.
“Eluned is an exceptional public servant, always putting the country first. We have collaborated for many years, and she deserves full support for her bold vision for both Wales and our party. I will continue to serve my constituency until 2026 and remain committed to advancing the causes of social justice that initially inspired my journey into public service.”
Reflecting on his career, he said, “As a Welshman born in Zambia, it has been a profound honour to serve in the Welsh Government for over a decade. The opportunity to make meaningful change alongside inspiring individuals and movements has been an immense privilege. It is something I will always hold dear.”
Mr. Gething’s resignation as First Minister came after 118 days in the position, with his departure finalized on August 6th, when Eluned Morgan was named as his successor. His tenure marked him as both the first black leader of Welsh Labour and the shortest-serving Welsh First Minister in the history of devolution.
The 50-year-old former lawyer has represented Cardiff South and Penarth since 2011 and held key roles, including Economy Minister and Health Minister, during the pandemic under Mark Drakeford’s administration.
First Minister Eluned Morgan expressed her gratitude, saying, “Vaughan Gething has made an indelible contribution to Wales during some of the most challenging times we’ve faced.
“From navigating us through the pandemic to securing critical investments like the semiconductor industry, Vaughan has consistently delivered results, advancing devolution in Wales.
“He has always been a team player, offering support and kindness to myself and others, even during moments of intense pressure. I have no doubt that Vaughan will continue to make a significant impact on our country in the future.
“Thank you, Vaughan, for everything you have done for Wales.”
News
Pembrokeshire crematorium megalith plans submitted
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PLANS for an extension to Pembrokeshire’s Parc Gwyn Crematorium, with a new memorial garden featuring a stone megalith “in a more natural setting,” have been submitted to county planners.
Pembrokeshire County Council, which owns the existing Parc Gwyn Crematorium, near Narberth, is seeking permission for a change of use of adjacent agricultural land to a memorial garden, along with associated ancillary development including access, parking, an entrance canopy, two shelters, a megalith stone structure, seating, footways, bird nest box poles and landscaping.
A supporting statement accompanying the application states: “The proposal involves creating a garden designed with the objective of providing a nature-rich experience for those wishing to gather, reflect and remember. Seating areas, paths and contemplative zones are to be sensitively interspersed within a wildflower meadow and trees.
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“The existing crematorium site is set amongst formally presented memorial gardens with large lawn areas, rockeries, trees and shrubs. With greater awareness of the nature emergency, it is anticipated that the demand for more natural settings in public services will increase. Therefore, by proactively providing a more natural memorial space, Pembrokeshire County Council is taking a long-term approach to green infrastructure provision.”
It adds: “The natural memorial garden would be an extension to the outdoor space currently available at the Parc Gwyn crematorium site, with provision for burial of ashes and memorials also provided.
“The provision of this space would see the transformation of an agricultural monoculture pasture to a setting in which nature is allowed to thrive. This would represent a diversification of opportunities for quiet reflection in a natural setting, better reflecting the different needs of those served by the Parc Gwyn site.
“The layout of the path network has been designed to allow different lengths of looped walks from the entrance point to the natural memorial garden. In addition to surfaced paths, there will also be mown paths within the meadow areas. By offering a range of options, the garden can cater for diverse user preferences and needs, enhancing the overall value and appeal.
“The structures within the garden (shelters, seating and memorials) are to be designed to fit with the setting of a natural garden. These are to be of natural materials (wood and stone) and rustic in style to blend into the landscape. The majority of the site is to remain as open space to preserve the natural character and provide ample room for memorial activities.”
The scheme will be considered by county planners at a later date.
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