SCECLB275 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)?

Obtaining a balance of men and women in the Parliament is a laudable objective, as long as the quality of representative does not drop. I am not certain that legislation is the best way of achieving this.

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. Transwomen are men and do not represent the interests of women. They should be identified as such and counted as men when assessing gender balance. Again, they should be chosen for lists only if they are the best candidates. There is no need to cater to paraphilias.

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?

Considering the current direction of the Assembly, including this Bill, I would prefer to rely on the greater sense of the Westminster Parliament; and in fact, if I could go back in time, I would now vote against devolution rather than for it.

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?

I hope that any move to self ID for transgender people on these lists will be prevented by the Westminster Government.