SCECLB202 Richard Windus

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 Richard Windus | Evidence from Richard Windus

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)?

It's not needed. It's sexist and reductive. It restricts the ability to use the best candidates

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

With no enforcement it's completely useless. You could have a dozen candidates from the Islamic party claiming to be women when in fact they are obviously all men.

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?

Tokenism

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

You will remove all biological women from the lists.

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

Employing an officer with no power seems wasteful.

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?

Don't care

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

Restricting the candidates to approved quotas sounds illegal

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?

Anything else?

Seems like an agenda driven bill.