SCECLB399 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)?

Your premise is wrong. It is not gender make up that is relevant, but the of members of parliament. It is sex that is a key predictor of a whole range of outcomes for women, not gender.

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

Only people who were recorded at birth as female should be on any women's lists, and only they should be counted as women in the Senedd.

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?

Well, if the Bill wants to address the disadvantage women face in welsh society by having more women in the Senedd, then it needs to ensure all those women are female as recorded at birth. As it is because of their sex that they have faced sex-based disadvantage.

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

Yes, you may compromise you intention to improve the situation for women by allowing people whose sex is male onto the women's lists and taking places that should be for women in the senedd.

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?

I understand this is not within your competence and is open to be challenged.

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

Sex is protected characteristic. Why is the Senedd so unable uphold sex as a protected characteristic?