Increasing Diversity in Elected Office

Part of Questions to the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip – in the Senedd at 2:41 pm on 16 July 2019.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 2:41, 16 July 2019

I also welcome, Suzy Davies, the all-Wales BAME mentoring engagement programme, and I've been very inspired by the mentees and I'm sure you have, and others who have taken part in that are also keen. I think you might be, Suzy Davies, a mentor in the Women's Equality Network Wales mentoring programme, as others are across this Chamber. We see this as a key role to play in terms of supporting those mentoring arrangements in terms of developing future diversity in all public appointments and, indeed, in mentees considering the possibility of elected office as well.

We have, of course, a diversity in democracy programme that we're taking forward in terms of local government, and I think that's reflected in the debate we had very recently. But also, this is reflected in the work that I'm doing in terms of public appointments. And we are looking at the ways in which the mentoring programmes can provide a key role to play in encouraging candidates and looking, of course, at the support for those organisations. Both of those organisations, actually, do already get support from the Welsh Government, but looking particularly at the impact of those mentoring programmes.