SCECLB308 Stephen Powell

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 Stephen Powell | Evidence from Stephen Powell

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)?

26 women currently sit in the Senedd with a growing number of ethnic minority members. This has been achieved without legislation. The Bill is a blatant attempt by the Labout Party, shamefully aided by Plaid Cymru, to subvert democracy and grab power forever.

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

Whether they are a woman or not a woman.  I suspect the majority of your electorate regard not a woman as a man so say so. What safeguards are in place to ensure the National Nominations Compliance Officer (NNCO) is politically neutral? Otherwise it turns into another opportunity for career politicians like Alun Michael. What about the cost of the NNCO and his/her/their staff? How many nurses could that fund?

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?

I congratulate the civil servants responsible for the Explanatory Memorandum, a wonderful example of the means justifying the end.

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

Hopefully a growing realisation and revolt as it is realised that the Senedd has not served Wales well.

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

Past experience would suggest the financial assessment will be hopelessly wrong but hey ho it's only public money. Gilestone Farm and Cardiff Airport spring to mind.

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?

The last 25 years suggest Welsh Ministers are incapable of making appropriate legislation that actually benefits the electorate.

Do you have any views on matters relating to the legislative competence of the Senedd including compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights?

I refer the Honourable member to my previous answer.

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?

The closed lists will allow for lobbyists and other interested parties, sorry cronies, to be appointed to the Senedd thereby creating a Yes culture and stifling debate. There will be no Neil McEvoys under the proposed Bill.

Anything else?

I fear that the mélange of Senedd members resulting from the Bill will have no understanding of rural affairs and have nothing but contempt for the populace. Hmm thinking about the present government and the Sustainable Farming Scheme perhaps that's intentional.