SCECLB82 Alexandra Rosenberg

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 Alexandra Rosenberg | Evidence from Alexandra Rosenberg

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 an increase in female representatives is desirable this bill will not achieve it.

This bill fails to correctly identify women as adult human females and allows for self-identification which is contrary to UK law.  It is a breach in the Equality Act 2010 and as the Minister knows, the Senedd does not have the legal competency to make this legislation.

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

They are unenforceable. Firstly the bill will never become law because the Senedd does not have the legal competency to create this legislation.

Secondly, you cannot put a gun to women's heads and demand they stand for election.  Politics is a sewer, especially for women and especially in 'progressive' parties.

Thirdly, all a male candidate needs to do is self-id as a woman and there will be no way the NNCO can dispute this or levy any sanctions

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?

1. Equality Act 2010

2. The Senedd does not have the legal competencies to implement this law

3. Basic morality

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

This will make female participation in Welsh politics even less likely.

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

Very poor.  This will be challenged both by the UK Government and by Women's groups.  The Welsh Government will be saddling the Welsh public with large and unnecessary legal fees in attempting to defend the indefensible.

These costs are completely avoidable.

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?

There is a massive hole in the information contained in the Bill and Explanatory Memorandum. The Ministers do not have the legal competency to make this legislation. Therefore any effect it has on subordinate legislation is moot.

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

As I have stated previously the Minister does not have the legal competencies to introduce this bill.  The Minister has been informed of this by the Llywydd but has chosen to ignore this.  The Minister has failed to supply any information on why she thinks she does have the competencies, the single sentence on Legal Competencies in the Explanatory Memorandum is woefully inadequate and borders on insulting to both the Lywydd and the Welsh people.

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

This is a poorly conceived and written piece of legislation.  It is based on false premise that the sex category of woman is open to both women and men.

It fails to identify the reasons for the lack of female representatives in politics.  It fails to provide genuine remedies to increase female representatives.  It is shallow and virtue signalling at best and misogynistic at the very worst

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

The shortened consultation period is an attempt to force through a misogynistic piece of legislation.

Anything else?

Despite many attempts at engagement, The Welsh Government failed to meet with any women's groups in the development of this bill.  The only stakeholders they met with were those who do not have the rights of women at the core of their interest.