Local Government

PLANS to reform Welsh politics hope to see the Senedd expanded to 96 members, with gender quotas and a shake up of constituencies with each selecting multiple members.

First Minister Mark Drakeford and Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price said they want Senedd reform to be implemented in time for the next election in 2026 - even if some of the changes are introduced on an interim basis.

Democrat Nan Whaley broke a political glass ceiling Tuesday when she became the first woman in Ohio history to win a major party nomination to run for governor.

"This is a historic moment for the Democratic Party and for all of Ohio," said Whaley. "And I want every little girl listening to know that this is possible."

Voters in Northern Ireland have returned a record number of women to the Assembly.

Of the 90 MLAs elected to Stormont, 32 are women – an increase from 33pc in 2020 to just over 36pc.

The first Assembly formed after the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 had just 13pc female representation.

Female mayors account for a little more than a quarter of the 100 largest U.S. cities.

The proportion of elected offices in U.S. cities held by women increased by 3% in 2022. Still, women make up less than a third of mayors, city council members and other local elected office holders following last year's municipal elections in New York, Boston and other large cities.