SCECLB17 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)?

Candidates should be selected on their abilities. It is both discriminatory and patronising to women to favour them in any way

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

Draconian and political interference with elections and the choice of the electorate. Parties should be free to choose their own candidates based on ability and suitability

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?

Becoming a politician is not choosing an easy life and the barriers are not in prioritising women but in recruitment

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

People being voted in because of their gender, not ability (applies to men and women)

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

Usually impact assessments under-estimate true cost

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?

The devil is always in the detail. If Welsh Ministers wish to introduce legislation it is presumed they have the powers otherwise they are wasting public funds

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

Legislative competence is something for the courts to adjudicate on if the legislation is challenged

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

Cannot comment until see the full wording of the legislation. To comment one way or the other would be to support/opposed the unknown

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

Question the need for such discriminatory legislation - the UK has had 3 women Prime Ministers, Scotland one female First Minister. The barriers are obviously not there but it may be those choosing their leader need to look in-house rather than forcing an ideology on everyone