SCECLB214 Rachel Hurdley
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 am concerned that the Bill uses the term
‘gender’ rather than ‘sex’. The Senedd
should be representative of the sex balance of the population.
What are your views on the system of enforcement and potential
sanctions for non-compliance proposed in the Bill?
I don’t think there should be sanctions.
In my experience, women do not always come forward. The answer to
this is education and support for female candidates.
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?
Page 8, item 19 of the Memorandum refers to
‘gender’ as a Protected Characteristic. It is not.
‘Sec’ is a protected characteristic. This could provide
a barrier to women, as in adult human females, rather than men
identifying as women. The sex imbalance will not be addressed.
Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the
Bill?
Yes, that trans women (i.e. males) take
women’s places on the quota.
What are your views on the Welsh Government’s assessment
of the financial and other impacts of the Bill?
Ok.
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?
I’m happy with that.
Do you have any views on matters relating to the legislative
competence of the Senedd including compatibility with the European
Convention on Human Rights?
Yes I do - the error in persistently using
‘gender’ rather ‘sec’ when referring to the
EA2010.
Do you have any views on matters related to the quality of the
legislation, or to the constitutional or other implications of the
Bill?
As per my previous answers, I’m deeply
concerned about the vagueness around ‘gender’.
Are there any other issues that you would like to raise about
the Bill and the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum or any related
matters?
Yes - please utilise the EA2010 correctly.
Anything else?
Please do not allow trans identifying males to
claim to be women - this will create further sex-imbalance in the
Senedd.