This document provides a translation of correspondence received from
SCECLB348 Beca Roberts

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 Beca Roberts | Evidence from Beca Roberts

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)?

This Bill will ensure that the Senedd better reflects the people it represents, making it a more representative body in every sense and a more effective organisation as a result.

A Parliament in which women (who make up a majority of the population of Wales) are a minority adversely affects the Senedd’s ability to function effectively and its ability to fully reflect the country it seeks to represent.

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

I’m supportive of these.

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?

Not as far as I can see

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

Not as far as I can see

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

I think it's worth the money

 

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?

It seems acceptable to me

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

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?

Anything else?

As well as being the first British nation to scrap an outdated First Past the Post system at national level in exchange for a proportional representation system, Wales is the first country to introduce gender quotas. This is a radical and innovative development with our Senedd leading, and a sign of the ambitious independent country we are working towards creating – where  Members of the national legislature reflect the population.