SCECLB180 Siobhan Scullion

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 Siobhan Scullion | Evidence from Siobhan Scullion

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)?

Sex is a material biological classification and historically women 51% of population have been oppressed. Sex balance to redress historical oppression is worth considering.

Gender is a social construct. Therefore gender would need to be defined, agreed and measured before any consideration of balance could be considered.

Sex and gender are NOT interchangeable.

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

While politicians are not prepared publically to debate "what is a woman" this bill makes CROs responsible for managing that issue. It is cowardly and lacks transparency.

My view is, a woman is an adult human female, (a legally protected position) if the Welsh government want to introduce self ID, It should be an open public debate.

Registered birth certs should confirm sex and be required.

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?

I don't believe the Welsh government have the legal authority to pass this bill.

Any move to adopt self ID is contradictory to UK law.

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

The bill fails to accept how this measure may impact on women. The political voice and influence of women has been hard fought and had a long way still to go.

This bill will enable males who individually identify as women to displace the voice of women as a sex class.

Men with gender dysphoria are a valid part of the male political voice.

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?

The bill enforces compelled belief speech and action on CROs .

A candidate can choose to "believe" whatever they wish about themselves. However to force a CRO to accept and act on that belief without ant corroborating evidence suggests that the CRO is being compelled to participate in that belief system.

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

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

While the bill refers to the 51% of women and underrepresentation. It will actually lead to further regression of womens rights.