SCECLB411 Maurice Barnes

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 Maurice Barnes | Evidence from Maurice Barnes

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)?

While I applaud the aim of this Bill I think the complexity and in many ways undemocratic aspects of the Bill will in the end make it unworkable and certainly unpopular.

Closed lists give far too much power to a small group of people within a political party and do not give the current freedom to the electorate to know exactly who they are voting for.

It will not allow bi elections to occur as the list will be used to appoint any replacement.

Especially at this time in our history when there is already so much disillusionment with our weak democratic system this will be seen to weaken it further by many, if not most, of the electorate.

Trying to force political parties to create such lists will probably be resisted and become the issue more than achieving gender balance.

In Wales we have achieved a lot to move towards gender equality by making it a political and social issue. Please let us continue the way we have been and not make this Bill become the issue instead which could even lead to less success in achieving our aims.

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

I prefer the whole Bill to be withdrawn

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I prefer the whole Bill to be withdrawn

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

The Bill is likely to be highly unpopular and make it even harder to achieve gender equality.

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

I prefer the whole Bill to be withdrawn

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?

I prefer the whole Bill to be withdrawn

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 prefer the whole Bill to be withdrawn

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

I prefer the whole Bill to be withdrawn

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?