THE Labour Party in York, according to your report of December 12, in its quest to find a new parliamentary candidate for this city, has had the appalling practice of an all-women shortlist forced on it.

Why, when there is nothing to fear to most electors in these enlightened days at the prospect of a female candidate, do the powers that be see fit to foist this method on those who are to select the candidate?

The practice can only be utterly demeaning to women. In most other spheres this practice is undoubtedly illegal.

Women are more than capable of fighting their corner, standing their ground or whatever one would wish to call it. Perhaps it is that the Labour Party in York is suspected by its hierarchy of having misogynist tendencies?

It is a fact that many capable women have entered Parliament in the past few decades without this “positive discrimination” and have, time and again, proved to be been more than successful in the task. It has been, in many cases, a badge of honour in that they have triumphed in a mixed shortlist.

Electors deserve the best candidate for the job based on ability, not gender.

Robin Dickson, Fishergate, York.