Resistance is Phutile

He's a ladeez man.

Was meant to post this yesterday, but other engagements interfered with my plans. On the Daily Politics show, they were discussing David Cameron's 50/50 gender quota and 10% ethnic minority stipulations. Several Tory members were far from happy with the idea. James Wharton, Team Tory representative in Stockport, is displeased with it all. He argues that such quota filling will mean worthy contenders will be overlooked in favour of employing the right amount of women, blacks, iguanas, etc.

Not an unheard of line of thinking, this.

But the trap Wharton and the rest of the quota sceptics are in danger of falling into is the basic assumption that women or ethnic minority members will essentially represent a drop in quality. The automatic response in situations like this implies that yes, we're all equal, but let's face it, some are more equal than others, aren't they?

In terms of ability, in any case.

Accusations of political correctness abound (which, stripped of it's Daily Mail tarnish, is a grimly ironic insult) but this is surely an issue of fair representation for all.

Not that we should wholly buy into it, of course. While recognising the noble cause, it's worth remembering it comes as part of the glossy new package Dave is wrapping the party in. Fairness for all doesn't sit so easily alongside pledges to abandon the Human Rights Act A.S.A.P.

posted by Phu @ 10:34 am