SCECLB259 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 think it's great to have a level playing field for female and male candidates.

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

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?

Yes - biological males will be able to self-ID as women in order to be on the Electoral Register

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?

If this Bill passes, it will enshrine self-ID in UK law, setting a dangerous legal precedent.

The Bill MUST clarify if the women on the closed lists will include only biological females, or whether men who are "legally" women by virtue of possessing a gender recognition certificate, may also be included.

Without a GRC, to include biological males within these closed lists in place of natal females may contravene the Equality Act.

In Scotland, self-ID no longer has any legal standing, as determined in Scotland's highest court, therefore it should have no legal standing in Wales.