Are we sure for example that we have an equal proportion of Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender people within the Senedd as we do in our communities? Of course not and why should we?
On the same day as Mr Black makes his homotrepid comment Pink News (hat tip Iain Dale) lists what it claims are the fifty most influential openly LGB (lesbian, gay and bisexual) people in British politics. The list contains two Welsh MP's Adam Price and Chris Bryant, and three Members of the Scottish Parliament; but no Member of the National Assembly. Is this because Pink News believes that AMs are not influential or because openly LGB people have no representation in the Senedd?
If the LGB community is not represented in the Assembly, it is an equality issue that needs looking at. If the LGB community is fairly represented, but the Assembly is perceived by that community to be without influence, then the LGB community is a ripe constituency to harvest in support of additional powers in the proposed referendum.
But do the LGBT community believe that the Assembly has no influence? Do they think they are disadvantaged by not being openly represented by us? Actually a lot of work has gone on there that in delivering their agenda including stuff I did when I was Deputy Housing Minister.
ReplyDeleteI thought Elin Jones was openly Lesbian, and there are a few closet people too
ReplyDeleteReach for the sick bucket -
ReplyDeleteRhodri Morgan appreciation society
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19185886064
Now this is a person who was happy with limited powers for the assembly, his priority loyalty to his wifes job and new labour party is .......
Very strongly,I think that these attempts at quota are a disaster.Too much power is given to the national (as opposed to local) party and it almost invariably means that many of the most able are prevented from finding a seat.We have enough problems finding 60 competent AMs as it is.All democracies need the occasional maverick.Instead we get mindless party hacks.
ReplyDeleteThis issue is just ridiculous. All it does is exclude more able representatives.
ReplyDeleteWhat I cannot understand is why only female or LGBT politicians can truly represent their own respective campaigns.
The big problem with this issue is that if allowed to continue, quotas will develop in many other areas such as religious grounds.
Margaret Thatcher, as Prime Minister, did very little to further the rights of women. It is wrong to assume that certain people are better than others because of their sex or sexual orientation.
Margaret Thatcher, as Prime Minister, did very little to further the rights of women.
ReplyDeleteExcept become Prime Minister herself, which did more to enhance the status of women than all the positive discrimination in the world.
anon Says
ReplyDeleteExcept become Prime Minister herself, which did more to enhance the status of women than all the positive discrimination in the world.
She did women a major diservice, and put us back years Not only did she ignore women who were capable of being in her cabinet , she took on male traits and poo pooed anything feminist.
Maggie Thatcher may just as well have been a man
How come LGB is a community? I've never been able to work out how a sexual preference makes you a community. Is there a BDSM community and should they also have a quota? What about onanists, quite a large community I would have thought.
ReplyDeleteWe really have travelled a long way into cloud cuckoo land.