SCECLB106 Wendy Beever

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 Wendy Beever | Evidence from Wendy Beever

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)?

I do not agree with the proposed legislation. Wales deserves to have politicians of the highest calibre and by forcibly making the lists include women or transwomen (men who identify themselves as a woman) this may be detrimental to the quality of members elected to the Senedd. A politician should be elected on their own merits not just because they are a women, or identify themselves as a woman.

The proposed system is open to abuse by men who are not of the calibre required to be included on their party's list of candidates to bypass their possible non-selection by merely identifying themselves as women. This is not acceptable.

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

As I do not agree with forcing parties to include a set amount of women in their lists then I do not agree that they should be sanctioned.

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?

This bill is not legal and above the power of the Senedd to implement

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

More disengagement from the voting public, which is already quite poor, as they are not going to be presented with the best people for the role of AM which should be regardless of sex, or the self-identification of some men.

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?