MERCHED CYMRU CANDIDATE SURVEY: RESULTS FROM THE MAIN PARTIES May 2021 The two tables below collect the responses received from candidates across the five main parties in Wales, with candidates listed by constituency. The regional list candidates (many of whom are also constituency candidates) are shown at the bottom. Note that we have updated this table on the evening of 5 May to reflect some late responses, and the corresponding summary on the main page.. Constituency Candidate Response Candidate Response Candidate Name Response Name Name WELSH PLAID WELSH LABOUR CYMRU CONSERVATIVES Aberavon David Rees Victoria Griffiths Liz Hill O'Shea Aberconwy Dawn Aaron It’s selfID (verbal) Janet Finch- McGuinness Wynne Saunders Alyn and Deeside Jack Sargeant Jack Morris Abigail Mainon Arfon Iwan Wyn Jones Siân I am committed to fighting for equality Gwenllian for trans people. Having secured recurrent funding for a Wales Gender Identity Clinic, Plaid Cymru will work to improve the provision and ensure timely access to its services and support. I support the reform of the Gender Recognition Act to introduce a streamlined, de-medicalised process based on self-declaration and in line with international best practice. We will seek the devolution of powers necessary to introduce this change and will uphold trans people's right to continue to access services and facilities in accordance with their gender identity. (on follow up) As far as trans rights are concerned, I think it's about acceptance. Transwomen are women if that is their choice and Tony Thomas preferred identity. For many the transition follows years of unimaginable trauma and torment. The examples of men abusing this right to attack women are few and far between but must of course be dealt with - but denying trans people the right to self-identify is not the correct way of dealing with male violence against women. Far more common than false claims of transition is the bullying and intimidation of trans people by other members of society. It reminds me of the way gay people were shunned and I condemn homophobia and transphobia and I will work to get rid of them. I will also continue to strongly advocate women's rights as I have done for the past 45 years. That includes the right to personal privacy. I hope this explains my position about which I have thought long and hard. Blaenau Gwent Alun Davies Peredur Owen Griffiths Edward Dawson Brecon and Radnorshire Gethin Jones Grenville Ham James Evans Bridgend Sarah Murphy Leanne Rachel Nugent- Lewis Finn Caerphilly Hefin David Delyth Jewell Steven Mayfield Cardiff Central Jenny Rathbone Wiliam Calum Davies Rees Cardiff North Julie Morgan Joel Williams Cardiff South and Vaughan Nasir Leighton Penarth Gething Adam Rowlands Cardiff West Mark Drakeford Rhys ab Many thanks for your email. Yes, I agree Sean Driscoll Thank you for contacting me on Owen with the women's sex based rights. Any this important issue. amendment will need to be carefully thought through and take into account YES! the special status of women’s refuge, health services etc. Also via Twitter No I would not support a blanket ban on trans women from all female only hospital wards. (Recorded as a No) Carmarthen East and Rob James Adam Price Havard Hughes Dinefwr Carmarthen West and Riaz Hassan Cefin Sam Kurtz South Pembrokeshire Campbell Ceredigion Dylan Lewis- Elin Jones Giving a one word answer can be Amanda Jenner Rowlands dangerous, and I am answering without knowing whether anything lies behind the question, but if it is a choice between one and the other, then Yes I do. (translated from Cymraeg by MC) Clwyd South Ken Skates Llyr Barbara Hughes Gruffydd Clwyd West Joshua Hurst Elin Walker Darren Millar Jones Cynon Valley Vikki Howells Geraint Mia Rees Benney Delyn Hannah Blythyn Paul Mark Isherwood Rowlinson Dwyfor Meirionnydd Cian Ireland Mabon ap Gwynfor Gower Rebecca Evans Welsh Labour’s drive toward John Myles Langstone LGBTQ+ equality continues, but until Davies every person can be their true self, living free from fear, we still have work to do. Welsh Labour recognises our common humanity and celebrates diversity, and difference. The more we work together, the more likely we are to achieve positive change. That is why we actively support progressive networks, campaigns and organisations that are working towards an equal society. In terms of our manifesto for the Senedd elections, we have made it clear that even though we have come a long way, there is much left to do. Welsh Labour will explore all available powers to ban LGBTQ+ conversion therapy and seek the devolution of any necessary additional powers. We will work to devolve the Gender Recognition Act and support the Trans community. We will incorporate the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women and explore legislation to address pay gaps based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability and other forms of discrimination. You can read more about our plans here: https://movingforward.wales/ Welsh Labour is steadfast in our commitment to equality and ensuring everyone can live their lives safely and freely. (recorded as a No) Islwyn Rhianon Rhys Mills Gavin Chambers Yes you have my support Passmore Llanelli Lee Waters Helen Stefan Mary Jones Ryszewski[ Merthyr Tydfil and Dawn Bowden Ian Donna Gavin Rhymney Gwynne Monmouth Catrin Maby Hugh Peter Fox Kocan Montgomeryshire Kait Duerden Elwyn Russell George Vaughan Neath Jeremy Miles Sioned Mathew Williams Williams Newport East John Griffiths Thank you for your email. Daniel Gareth Rhys As the Welsh Labour candidate for Llewellyn Hughes Newport East I am very pleased to support the sex based rights under the Equality Act. Newport West Jayne Bryant Jonathan Michael Enea Clark Ogmore Huw Irranca- Luke Nathan Adams Davies Fletcher[ Pontypridd Mick Antoniw I fully support the Equality act and Heledd Plaid Cymru supports the reform of the Joel James was instrumental in the Fychan Gender Recognition Act to introduce a implementation of section 1 streamlined, de-medicalised process recently based on self-declaration and in line (follow up; Thank you very much for your reply. I think it is important that with international best practice. women can voice our opinions about our sex-based rights, particularly the The proposed changes to the Gender right to single sex services where Recognition Act will not affect the appropriate, as is lawful under the exemptions under the Equality Act single sex exemptions provided for (2010) for single-sex services. under the Equality Act of 2010. This includes changing rooms, toilets, (Recorded as a No) domestic violence refuges and other areas such as intimate personal care where females may be vulnerable and require dignity and privacy. I am concerned that this is not being recognised by several politicians or understood or followed by employers, public institutions, and other service providers. I am concerned that politicians acknowledge that sex is a protected characteristic and refers to a male or female of any age, to cite the EHRC Statutory Code, and is as equally important as all the protected characteristics in the Equality Act of 2010. He has not yet replied)) Preseli Pembrokeshire Jackie Jones Cris Tomos Paul Davies Rhondda Elizabeth Buffy Leanne Thomas Parkhilll Williams Wood Swansea East Mike Hedges Rhiannon Cameron Barrar Brennan Swansea West Julie James Dai Lloyd Samantha Chohan Torfaen Lynne Neagle Lyn Gruff Parry Yes, absolutely! More than Ackerman happy to talk to you about this over the phone if that suits. Vale of Clwyd Jason McLellan Glenn Gareth Davies Swingler Vale of Glamorgan Jane Hutt I am in full support of the Equality Richard Matt Smith Act 2010 and its intentions to Grigg uphold and advance women’s rights. I am proud that our manifesto sets our a clear ambition for Wales to become the safest country in Europe to be a woman. I do not believe women’s single sex spaces and sport are under threat and it is important that these issues are sensitively discussed if there are concerns. (As a follow up we asked her: to consider the fact that there are already men who identify as women playing in women's sports in Wales. [Our] understanding is that Stonewall are lobbying to ensure that this informal policy becomes the norm. Males are stronger, larger and faster than females. they have greater lung capacity, more muscles and a longer reach. Could you please explain how their inclusion in female sports does not impact on women's safety and opportunities, let alone on the concept of fairness. She has not yet replied.) (We have recorded this as a Yes, but note that in government Ms Hutt has been completely resistant to our requests for any discussion -sensitive or otherwise – of our concerns.) Wrexham Lesley Griffiths Carrie Jeremy Kent Harper Ynys Môn Samantha Rhun ap Lyn Hudson Egelstaff Iorwerth Regions Mid and West Wales Eluned Morgan Cefin Tomos Davies Campbell Joyce Watson Helen Amanda Jenner Mary Jones Helen Taylor Elwyn Liz Lesnianski Vaughan Ben Gwalchmai Cris Tomos Aled Davies North Wales Carolyn Thomas Llyr Huw Plaid Cymru supports the reform of the Mark Isherwood Gruffydd Gender Recognition Act to introduce a streamlined, de-medicalised process based on self-declaration and in line with international best practice. This also reflects my view on the matter. (Recorded as a No) Andy Short Carrie Sam Rowlands Harper Diane Green Elin Walker I’m also committed to women’s rights & Barbara Hughes Jones I think we have a long way to go. We need to build an equitable society where people are valued for who they are not for what personal or social characteristics they may have. I believe we should be teaching our children & young people at school, how to respect and value each other – as a core issue.