SCECLB241 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 don't think this legislation is needed. More women are entering politics and the imbalance between men and women is not necessarily due to discrimination or barriers. That the proposals include men (males) who identify as women (females) make this legislation farcical.

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

If men (males) can make a statement that they are women (females) then this legislation is meaningless and opens the door to gender self-ID, which will have significant impacts of women's sex-based rights and safety. One cannot identify into the opposite sex anymore than one can identify into a different age group or species.

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?

The Bill clearly comes into conflict with the Equality Act 2010. As we have seen in Scotland, this Bill will likely be challenged by UKG and will fail. This is a waste of Senedd time and taxpayer's money, and will be a humiliation for the Welsh Government as it has been for the Scottish Government.

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

Yes, the introduction of gender self-ID, which would conflict with sex as a protected characteristic and could have a disastrous impact of women's sex-based rights, safety, and sports, for example.

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

Any money spent on this Bill is a waste of taxpayer's money. The legal costs of losing the inevitable legal challenge could be huge.

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?

No. Wales does not have the power to make this legislation as it stands due to its conflict with the EA. Welsh Ministers already know this.

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 Senedd does not have the legislative competence, as previously stated.

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

This is one of the most ill-conceived,  ideological and unworkable pieces of postmodern legislation I have ever seen. It is terrible legislation and it will fail.

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

This Bill is part of a larger postmodern, Marxist ideology the Welsh Government has adopted. The public do not want this agenda imposed on the  and it is clearly activist-driven. Please concentrate on getting the basics right on improving education, housing and healthcare.

Anything else?

Trying to push this Bill through will be political suicide and a huge waste of taxpayer's money and Senedd time.