THE number of women Welsh MPs is set to rise, according to new figures released by the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) Cymru today. 

In its latest report, ‘Women, Wales & Westminster’ ERS Cymru estimates that 11 women will win seats in the next Parliament, up from 7 elected in 2010. 

The report also reveals how many female candidates each of the main six parties have selected in Wales.

It found that more women are now being selected in winnable seats by Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru and that 10 Labour and one Plaid Cymru women candidates are likely to be elected.

Less likely scenarios would see a high of 14 women MPs elected (double the 2010 figure) or a low of 9 (up just 2 on 2010).

Their study found women account for 35% of Labour candidates in Wales; 33% for the Liberal Democrats; 32% for the Conservatives; and 23% for Plaid Cymru.

Plaid Cymru is likely to elect its first woman MP with the Conservatives becoming the only Welsh parliamentary party that has never had a female MP.

Commenting on the figures, Steve Brooks director of the Electoral Reform Society Cymru said: “Whilst the outlook for equality in the next Parliament is still far from sunny, the forecast for Wales is starting to brighten up. At the last General Election Wales moved backwards, electing just 7 women MPs. We expect that figure to rise to 11, and could hit 14 if even more women win target seats.

“Historically, Wales’ record on women in Parliament has been woeful. Until 2005, Wales had never had more than 1 in 10 women MPs. What we’re beginning to see in Wales is when older, male MPs retire, political parties are selecting women candidates as replacements. At this election, of the eight MPs standing down, only one is a woman. But of these eight seats, we project that five will elect a woman in May. If political parties continue to take action, there’s a chance Wales could achieve a 50/50 gender balance by 2020.”

But, he warned that political parties must do more to encourage women to enter local politics, adding: “Local government is a well-trodden path that many people take before entering Parliament, but we know that some of our town halls remain stuck in a gender-timewarp.

"Following the last council elections in 2012, the number of women councillors in Wales rose by just 1.5%. At that rate of progress, we’d have to wait until 2076 before we achieve gender equality. That’s why we’re urging political parties in Wales to sign up to the pledge of standing women in 40% of their winnable council seats at the next election.”