SCECLB448 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)?

Any job advertised should not be based on quotas of any sort (gender, race, and other categorisations). It should simply be judged on the competency of the person to undertake the role. The person in question applying for the role should demonstrate their competency, experience, skills, transferable skills and then the best person for role selected based on this.

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

Again, quotas are not needed. Whoever submits an application for the role should be judged on their competency for the role not their gender. There is no need to ensure 50% of the applicants are female. However, if you wanted to ensure representation of women in the Senedd, it is important to ensure that the woman herself is competent for the role and has demonstrated this and that she is the best candidate for the role. Also, this should not be open to men who simply self ID as women.

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?

The Presiding Officer has stated that the Senedd does not have the power to pass a law to boost the representation of women in the Welsh Parliament as this treads on the laws at Westminster and there could be legal challenges to the passing of this law. It would impact on the equalities law that is controlled by Westminster.

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

Legal challenges to the bill itself with unnecessary expense presumably to be paid for by the tax payer. Whilst addressing potential under-representation in any sphere is a good aim - roles should still be based on Merit not quotas. It could also result in biological females not being selected for the actual roles as men who self ID could be chosen.

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

Whatever the financial implications - has the cost of a legal challenge been factored in.

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?

N/A

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

Only what has been stated before, that this may not be in the Senedd's powers.

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

Only what has already been stated.