SCECLB103 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)?

Increasing participation of women as a sex based class is important and requires legislation.

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

Agree

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?

WG do not appear to accept that women are a sex based class. The reliance on terms such as gender, is not appropriate to use in law and leads to further confusion and misinterpretation. Protected characteristics such as sex need clearly defining. The quota should focus on females only. If other people with protected characteristics require this type of legislation to increase participation, then this should be separately legislated for.

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

as above, there is concern that the term 'gender' relates to self identification. This should only cover the female sex.

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?

This bill fails to clearly identify the group it is supposed to be supporting and is therefore meaningless. Sex is a protected characteristic. The WG may not understand what a women is, but the public do.