SCECLB148 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)?

I agree that MSs must come from a range of backgrounds to represent as many different communities as possible.  However, the use of the word "gender" rather than sex concerns me.

Trans identifying men should not be selected to represent women and lesbians. Trans identifying women should not be selected to represent men and gays.  Self-ID is not recognised in UK law and Welsh Government should not use this bill to suggest it is.

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

Woman = adult human female

Not a Woman = adult human male

Men cannot change sex to become women and no trans identifying man can represent women.  Self-ID is unacceptable and should not be used to suggest the 50% of women has been met.

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?

Women candidates may well be replaced by 'non women', that is adult human males, which makes a mockery of 'fair representation'.

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?

Accept the advice given by y Llywydd and accept the protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010.

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

The Bill is open to abuse by stating gender rather than sex. 

Ignoring advice from y Llywydd would lead to UK Government stepping in as self-ID has implications outside of Wales, as has been the case in Scotland.

Welsh Government has no right to redefine the term "woman".

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?

Listen to women.  Listen to lesbians.  Listen to the electorate.  Listen to y Llywydd.