SCECLB294 Julie Rowland

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 Julie Rowland | Evidence from Julie Rowland

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 consider it vital that representation is based on biology and not gender. If gender is the foundation, human biological females (women) will lose fair representation.

Gender has become a choice - an affectation.

Trans women are men.

Therefore, if trans women are included ‘as women’ there will not be equality.

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

A “face value” statement is a fiction. I could state that I am a cocker spaniel but you would absolutely know that it was not true. What is the difference?

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?

Unequal representation for women.

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?

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

It seems astonishing that in 2024, the rights of women are still being eroded by men. Decisions on representation made now will demonstrate how Wales is seen by the UK and the world. Please consider the recent Scottish Hate Crime media interest. A unworkable law resulted in humiliation. If Wales is to be seen as forward thinking, it must make decisions based on fact. Any allowance for affectation rather than truth and science will undermine Wales and betray biological women.

Anything else?