JUDGING women by gender is deeply reactionary, patronising and insulting; these are my feelings as a women and in light of the latest proposals to entice women into politics. The Women and Equalities Committee at Westminster has suggested that political parties should be fined if they don’t ensure 45 per cent of their candidates are women. This is outrageous.

The law currently gives women the same rights as men to put themselves forward for selection as candidates, so what is the need to have women-only lists and now a new 45 per cent rule?

Many women are currently at the helm of public life, getting there through their determination, merit and ability, not because of their gender. But let’s take this a step further. What next: are we going to demand voters in certain areas vote only for women candidates to allow quotas to be achieved and to obtain the correct political balance? What exactly does direct discrimination bring to the table? As a woman, I know for my community and for the bigger picture of the country, I and indeed we, should endeavour to select the correct candidates who want to take up the challenge not because of their gender but because of their ability to represent their constituents.

Catriona C Clark,

52 Hawthorn Drive,

Banknock, Falkirk.