, Plenary
Debate: Stage 4 of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
Would you take an intervention on that point?
, Plenary
Debate: Stage 4 of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
Well, here we are again. We've reached the final stage of the consideration of this Senedd reform Bill, and we have legislation before us in its final form. And I want to put on record my thanks to the Reform Bill Committee team and to those who gave evidence…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Trefnydd, can I call for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for health to give us an update on the Veterans’ NHS Wales service? We know that veterans are very appreciative of this service, and at the cross-party group on the armed…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Wouldn’t it be better to engage and have discussions before? I mean, you’ve had these discussions with other departments; why couldn’t you have a discussion with the Wales Office at the same time? Given that you’ve already been discussing with the UK…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Why after, and not before?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Obviously, we don’t have a great deal of time left, but can I just ask about the engagement that UK Government might have had with you over this Bill? Again, I watched the evidence session with the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee in respect of…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Yes, of course.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
I understand the arguments—
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
So, it's this minor and consequential effect issue that we've discussed in previous sessions.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Of course.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Yes, of the Government of Wales Act.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with that provision. Is there anyone who can help me and just give us a bit more information about that?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Is there not a risk that any action by political parties, once this piece of legislation comes into force—is there not a risk that that might be regarded as disproportionate, given that the provisions of this Bill, effectively, are going to address the issue…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Yes, can I just ask about the impact of this Bill on section 104 of the Equality Act 2010? So, as we know, the provisions in section 104 give some permission for political parties to take some positive action in order to discriminate on the basis of the…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Yes. Can I just ask one final question, if I may? It's on this particular issue of engagement with women's organisations, if I might ask. I noticed that you referred that you'd engaged with the Women's Equality Network and a number of other organisations. Can…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Election petitions, of course, are a very expensive route to being able to challenge the outcome of a candidate statement being false, aren't they, though, Minister? You're talking many tens of thousands of pounds if a private individual or a political party…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Yes.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Actually, my party did give evidence to the committee.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
We do, although I don't think we've had that question answered. Can I just ask about this issue of candidates making false statements? We've been told by witnesses that returning officers must accept on face value any declarations that are made by candidates…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Why is there a reluctance?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
I'd still like to know. We have time, Chair. I'd like to know why there's a reluctance, that's all.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
I think the reason that there haven't been more legal challenges in other countries, though, Minister, with respect, is because they've defined what a woman is. It's a biological issue. It's not an issue that is defined by an individual being able to present…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Yes, but most of them define—
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Well, perhaps she'd like to define what a woman is today. I think that might be helpful. Are you able to define a woman, for the Welsh Government's purposes?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence session with the Trefnydd and Chief Whip
As we understand it, the other quota examples that you refer to, when they refer to 'women', it means biological sex—you know, female—rather than people being able to self-identify. And in fact, where they have been able to self-identify as women, we…
