SCECLB232 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 support the idea of making the senedd representative of the sex make up of the population. However, there are deep flaws in this legislation that will not do that. Gender is a fluid term and doesn’t have any legal definition therefore it can’t be viewed as anything fixed. Bringing in self id and allowing biological men to be added to females lists does not make the senedd representative, it removes representation for women. This is not legal, your own presiding officer has said that, and it is not progressive. It tells women that they are not important and that the only think that makes a woman a woman is how they look and feel. This is so wrong on so many levels. Wales, you are so much better than this. Trans people should be welcomed and allowed on the ballot should they wish but not at the cost of a woman’s place. Furthermore, the concept of a party list is hugely discouraging and in democratic. It undermines the trust in politicians, I want to vote for a person, not a party. I want my party to know me and care about me, not just want my vote and give me anyone that I don’t know to represent me. This is not progressive, but regressive and harking back to more totalitarian regimes where people just accept the party line with no ability to question.

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

You cannot just be a woman because you feel it. This is so demeaning to women. It reduces women to stereotypes, we are not long hair and dresses. Every single cell in our bodies is female, no amount of medication or makeup or clothes can change that. There is a place for trans people, but not at the expense of someone else. Please, protect sex based rights - don’t just give them away because someone decided they feel like a woman. This is also illegal. You do not have the powers to do this

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 will lose out on representation, on sex based rights.

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?

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

It appears as though Scotland has tried this and failed. Why aren’t you listening to what has happened?