SCECLB284 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)?

Gender is a social construct. The Senedd should be broadly representative of the make-up of the population in terms of sex, ie male or female. Allowing candidates to self-identify as a gender means the bill is totally pointless as it does not actually ensure that more female people become representatives.

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?

This bill encourages legality of self-identification in other areas. Since the Bill specifies that no proof will be required of anyone claiming to be 'a woman' that means that literally any male person can claim to be female and not be challenged as to whether this is actually the case. A male person who identifies as a woman is still a male person, a man. Allowing self-identification means that women (ie female born people) are still being discriminated against and are still under-represented.

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?

Allowing males who identify as women to count towards statistics for women is incompatible with human rights for women.

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

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

Anything else?

If this bill wishes to actually promote women's rights, and encourage an even spread of candidates, that should be of both sexes. Gender is irrelevant and should not be part of the bill in any way.