SCECLB10 Individual

Senedd Cymru | Welsh Parliament

Y Pwyllgor Biliau Diwygio | Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Rhestrau Ymgeiswyr Etholiadol)| Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill

Ymateb gan Unigolyn | Evidence from Individual

What are your views on the general principles of the Bill and the need for legislation to deliver the Welsh Government’s stated policy objective (to make the Senedd a more effective legislature by ensuring it is broadly representative of the gender make-up of the population)?

Whilst setting targets is, in principal, a reasonable suggestion it does away with the thought "best person for the job".  I firmly believe that there are many women capable of doing a much better job than some of the male candidates, and they should be chosen on this basis rather than chosen 'because they're a woman'.

What are your views on the system of enforcement and potential sanctions for non-compliance proposed in the Bill?

What happens if no woman (or indeed, no man) wishes to be considered as a candidate for a particular party?  Will that party then be punished for not having 'enough willing people of the right sex'?  Will that party be banned from standing?

If a party has its candidacy open to everyone then it shouldn't be forced to turn people down because "you're not a woman" or "you're not a man".

Are there any potential barriers to the implementation of the Bill’s provisions? If so, what are they, and are they adequately taken into account in the Bill and the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum and Regulatory Impact Assessment?

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

Candidates will be chosen because of their sex rather than their ability to do the job.

What are your views on the Welsh Government’s assessment of the financial and other impacts of the Bill?

What are your views on the balance between the information contained on the face of the Bill and what is left to subordinate legislation? Are the powers for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation appropriate?

Do you have any views on matters relating to the legislative competence of the Senedd including compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights?

Do you have any views on matters related to the quality of the legislation, or to the constitutional or other implications of the Bill?

Are there any other issues that you would like to raise about the Bill and the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum or any related matters?

Anything else?