SCECLB334 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)?

I believe in "the best person for the job".  Forcing voters to 'accept' people based on their gender rather than their ability is a ridiculous idea.

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

I think this will be unworkable.  All parties have to do is have their candidates pretend to identify either as men or women in equal numbers.

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?

Parties can use false declarations of gender assignment as a means of obtaining the 50/50 split.

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

The people of Wales will be governed by people who were chosen for their gender and not for their suitablity/ability to fill the role.

The Senedd will also be open to (well justified) claims of direct discrimination by refusing to accept individuals because of their gender.

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

It highlights that this ill-thought peice of legislation has no identified benefit for the people of Wales.

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 have no views on this

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 have no views on this

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

If I were to be refused a job simply because I'm male I could (rightly) expect the prospective employer to be punished.  And yet the Senedd are proposing exactly this!

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?

I would much prefer to be represented in the Senedd by a person who was chosen because of their ability to do the job rather than because of their sex.