Politics

Supreme Court looms as gender quotas bill progresses

Published

2 years ago

July 17, 2024

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

Kurtz calls on Labour MPs to back release of Mandelson papers

Published

1 hour ago

February 4, 2026

Staff Writer

Opposition motion follows Epstein-linked document disclosures

A SENEDD Member has called on Labour MPs to support a Conservative Opposition Day Motion demanding the release of papers linked to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK Ambassador to the United States.

Samuel Kurtz said the motion follows the publication of new files and photographs involving Lord Mandelson, which were released as part of a United States investigation into the disgraced and convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Speaking out, Mr Kurtz said that during Prime Minister’s Questions, the Prime Minister admitted he was aware of Peter Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with Epstein at the time of his appointment.

“That means the Prime Minister knowingly appointed Peter Mandelson to one of the most important diplomatic roles in government despite his links to Epstein,” he said. “This raises serious questions about the Prime Minister’s judgement.”

Mr Kurtz went on to accuse the Prime Minister of attempting to prevent transparency over the appointment process.

“Now, instead of being open and transparent, the Prime Minister is attempting to block the release of documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment in order to protect his own position,” he said.

He warned that Labour MPs who oppose the motion would share responsibility for withholding information, adding: “If Labour MPs support blocking the release of these papers, they will be complicit in covering up the process and judgement that led the Prime Minister to appoint Peter Mandelson as Ambassador, despite his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.”

News

Welsh peace campaigner removed from court during Palestine protest case

Published

3 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Concerns raised over use of terrorism laws against silent sign-holders as Welsh activist among those ejected from London hearings

A WELSH peace campaigner was among several protesters removed from court by security staff this week as plea hearings continued for people charged under terrorism legislation for holding pro-Palestine signs.

Angie Zelter, aged 74, from Knucklas, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Monday as part of mass proceedings linked to the Government’s ban on Palestine Action.

Campaigners say hundreds of people across the UK – including some in Wales – have been charged under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after quietly holding handwritten signs reading: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

Zelter, a long-time anti-war activist and founder of Trident Ploughshares, attempted to read a prepared statement criticising the prosecutions before being escorted from the courtroom, according to supporters.

She told the court she did not accept being labelled a terrorist for what she described as peaceful protest and opposition to the war in Gaza.

Outside the building, fellow campaigners said she had sought to argue that international law and freedom of expression should protect non-violent dissent.

Also removed from the hearing was Tim Crosland, co-founder of Defend Our Juries, who said he had tried to raise legal objections to the charges before being asked to leave.

Arrests nationwide

Organisers of the “Lift The Ban” campaign claim nearly 3,000 people have been arrested across Britain since late 2025 for taking part in silent vigils, with several hundred now facing prosecution. The offences carry a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

The group argues the legislation is being used to criminalise peaceful protest. It is calling on the Government to lift the ban on Palestine Action and to change its stance on military cooperation with Israel.

However, ministers have defended the proscription, saying the organisation has been linked to criminal damage and disruption at sites connected to defence manufacturing.

Welsh perspective

While most hearings are taking place in London, campaigners say demonstrators in Wales have also taken part in sign-holding protests.

Civil liberties advocates have warned that applying terrorism laws to non-violent protest risks setting a troubling precedent.

For many in mid Wales, the sight of a pensioner from rural Powys being removed from a courtroom has sharpened debate over where the line lies between legitimate protest and criminality.

Further hearings are scheduled in the coming weeks, with more defendants from across the UK expected to appear.

Business

Bid to convert office space into chocolate factory, salon and laundrette

Published

9 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for the retrospective conversion of office space previously connected to a Pembrokeshire car hire business to a chocolate factory, a beauty salon and a laundrette has been submitted to county planners

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr M Williams, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, sought retrospective permission for the subdivision of an office on land off Scotchwell Cottage, Cartlett, Haverfordwest into three units forming a chocolate manufacturing, a beauty salon, and a launderette, along with associated works.

A supporting statement said planning history at the site saw a 2018 application for the refurbishment of an existing office building and a change of use from oil depot offices to a hire car office and car/van storage yard, approved back in 2019.

For the chocolate manufacturing by ‘Pembrokeshire Chocolate company,’ as part of the latest scheme it said: “The operation comprises of manufacturing of handmade bespoke flavoured chocolate bars. Historically there was an element of counter sales but this has now ceased. The business sales comprise of online orders and the delivery of produce to local stockist. There are no counter sales from the premises.”

It said the beauty salon “offers treatments, nail services and hairdressing,” operating “on an appointment only basis, with the hairdresser element also offering a mobile service”. It said the third unit of the building functions as a commercial laundrette and ironing services known as ‘West Coast Laundry,’ which “predominantly provides services to holiday cottages, hotels and care homes”.

The statement added: “Beyond the unchanged access the site has parking provision for at least 12 vehicles and a turning area. The building now forms three units which employ two persons per unit. The 12 parking spaces, therefore, provide sufficient provision for staff.

“In terms of visiting members of the public the beauty salon operates on an appointment only basis and based on its small scale can only accommodate two customers at any one time. Therefore, ample parking provision exists to visitors.

“With regard to the chocolate manufacturing and commercial laundrette service these enterprises do not attract visitors but do attract the dropping off laundry and delivery of associated inputs. Drop off and collections associated with the laundry services tend to fall in line with holiday accommodation changeover days, for example Tuesday drop off and collections on the Thursday.

“With regard to the chocolate manufacturing ingredients are delivered by couriers and movements associated with this is also estimated at 10 vehicular movements per week.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.