RICHARD Bridge is right that we need more women in politics (Letters, March 23).

At council level the imbalance is not as great as in Parliament, but it is still well short of the 50 per cent that would reasonably be expected – sometimes it will be more and sometimes less. We should strive for more representative politicians whether by sex, race, age or sexuality – or even, I suppose, different political views.

In York Central with Robert McIlveen, the Conservative Party will this election offer York its first openly gay Parliamentary candidate and at the last election our candidate was possibly the first woman PPC in York.

Love her or loathe her, there is no denying that Margaret Thatcher had a big influence over York and made an excellent first woman Prime Minster; also, Julia Mulligan, our area’s Conservative Police Commissioner, is doing a great job.

All these Conservative candidates were selected by members through choice and will continue to be. We need more diversity in politics but that must be the best person for the job and the Conservative Party will continue that rather, than forced short-listing like Labour.

Let’s ensure the best people can rise up and let’s trust people to pick them rather than force them to.

Cllr Chris Steward, Conservative group leader, City of York Council.