<P> Polly Toynbee wrote that the bill, which was drafted under the guidance of Harriet Harman, was "Labour's biggest idea for 11 years . A public - sector duty to close the gap between rich and poor will tackle the class divide in a way that no other policy has...This new duty to narrow the gap would permeate every aspect of government policy . Its possible ramifications are mind - bogglingly immense ." One cabinet member described it with relish as "socialism in one clause". </P> <P> The Act extends until 2030 the exemption from sex discrimination law which allows political parties to select all women or all men candidate short - lists . The previous exemption until 2015 was created by the Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act 2002 . </P> <P> The Parliamentary process was completed following a debate, shortly after 11pm on 6 April 2010, when amendments by the House of Lords were accepted in full . </P> <P> In April 2008, Solicitor General Vera Baird announced that as part of the Single Equality Bill, legislation would be introduced to repeal parts of the Act of Settlement 1701 that prevent Roman Catholics or those who marry Roman Catholics from ascending to the throne, and to change the inheritance of the monarchy from cognatic primogeniture to absolute primogeniture, so that the first - born heir would inherit the throne regardless of gender or religion . </P>

What year did the equality act come into effect