Transforming the Senedd: A Call for Family-Friendly Policies in Welsh Parliament

The upcoming Senedd election presents a pivotal moment for the Welsh Parliament to embrace a more family-friendly working environment, as emphasized by equality campaigners and the Future Senedd Committee. This committee is advocating for predictable sitting hours and the establishment of a creche service in Cardiff Bay, aiming to encourage individuals with caring responsibilities to consider running for election. The committee’s report highlights the current uncertainty surrounding parliamentary schedules as a significant barrier for potential candidates who balance professional and personal obligations.

One notable advocate for change is Heledd Fychan, a Plaid Cymru MS and mother, who underscores the challenges faced by politicians who are also parents, stating that being a politician does not lend itself easily to family life. Fychan argues for the necessity of a creche, asserting, “If we say that we’re a modern parliament, that’s the bare minimum.” On the other hand, Conservative MS Sam Rowlands refutes the need for major shifts, asserting the current arrangements are satisfactory for balancing political duties and family life.

The push for family-friendly measures is not a new topic; former MS Christine Chapman shared insights about the detrimental effects of political life on personal relationships, suggesting significant improvements could be made in fostering a more supportive environment. Nerys Evans, who previously held office, echoed similar sentiments about the challenges of balancing motherhood with political aspirations and expressed a desire to inspire other women to pursue leadership roles despite those challenges.

Victoria Vasey, from the Women’s Equality Network Wales, underlined the importance of the upcoming election, stating it is a crucial time to ensure that the next generation of leaders reflect both genders equally and can work effectively for their constituents—emphasizing the need for at least a creche in the Senedd.

Historically, in 2003, the National Assembly for Wales was recognized for achieving gender balance among politicians, yet current statistics show only 26 out of 60 MSs are women. Calls for political parties to ensure at least 50% of their candidates are women have been shelved, highlighting ongoing challenges in gender representation. As the election approaches, the focus intensifies on creating a workplace that allows MSs to effectively serve their communities while managing their family commitments.