SCECLB270 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)?

This is nonsensical.  What Wales needs are good quality candidates - the best that can be found.  Insisting on an equal male/female balance will not achieve that.

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

Don't fiddle with democracy.  You must NOT dictate how election candidates are nominated.  If there are not sufficient capable candidates of either sex then so be it.  We need the best people to become elected and if they are all male or all female you should accept that situation.  We are in danger of having less capable people standing for election simply to get the gender balance 'right'.  This will NOT ensure good governance across Wales.

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?

Competence is more important than gender balance.  No one has justified WHY gender balance is deemed to be so important.

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

Choosing candidates based on their sex as opposed to what they could contribute to the efficient running of the Welsh Government is likely to reduce and not improve effectiveness.

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

No comment.

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 comment

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 legislative competence of the current Senedd is poor - just look at the NHS, the Welsh Ambulances Service, school's PISA results, the purchase of Cardiff Airport, the purchase of farm land for the Green Man festival, support for failing developments (the latest being the wellness fiasco in Bridgend).  How will gender balance ensure greater competence?

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

The whole ethos of the proposed legislation is based on unproven measures, eg gender balance.

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

Abandon it.

Anything else?

The whole exercise seems to be change for the sake of change.  I have seen no evidence that the proposals will improve the government of Wales - and that should be the top priority.