SCECLB303 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)?

In theory it is a good policy, but as we have seen recently, parties are getting around this by having candidates who self identify as women, therefore are male and are continuing the under representation of women.

This bill should be clear that the candidates must be females NOT males who call themselves women.

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

It's completely open to being abused by men claiming to be women. There must be checks in place that the candidates are female in order to address the issue of women being under represented in politics.

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?

You need to ensure that by claiming to be encouraging women to be represented, you are following the Equality Act which rightly states that women are adult human females and you have every right to make sure that you are getting female candidates, not males claiming to have a special identity.

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

Yes, if you allow any male who says they are a woman to stand you are actually discriminating against women and making women even more 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?