Women only

[Gob]

nothing sexist about this...

Opposition has been sparked by news an all-woman shortlist will be drawn up to select Labour's assembly election candidate in a key seat.

Education Minister Huw Lewis is standing down after representing Merthyr and Rhymney as AM for 17 years.

Merthyr council leader Brendan Toomey is one of several local members concerned at the restrictions.

A Welsh Labour spokesman said the party had a "proud record of increasing diversity in politics".

"Labour lead the way on female representation in Wales with more women MPs, AMs and councillors than any other party and we will continue to do so," he said.

Councillor Mike O'Neill told BBC Wales it was "incredibly disappointing", admitting his own interest in becoming an AM.

"It's about choosing the right candidate," he said.

"People who understand the area and who are from the area don't get the opportunity to represent their constituents at the next level, at the Welsh assembly.

"It's unfortunate because we could have someone outside of the area who may or may not be talented but they certainly won't know the area like residents know the area."

Chris Barry, another councillor, tweeted his reaction, saying: "Not quite sure how the imposition of an all women shortlist will enhance chances of retaining M&R seat come Mays election."

Mr Toomey tweeted in reply: "I have a feeling you won't be on your own @ChrisBarry2010. Democracy in action I really don't think!!"

[MajGenl.Meade]

... plus what about tall women, eh? What about them, then?

[Scooter]

So I'm guessing that every other seat in the assembly is held by women, and that is why men feel so hard done by.

Or are 95% of the seats held by men, and a disgruntled would-be candidate is screaming sour grapes because he won't be able to add to their number?

[Gob]

Or someone may think it's appropriate to have selection by merit, rather than gender?

How many gays are their in the Welsh assembly? Gay only shortlist?

[Lord Jim]

Opposition has been sparked by news an all-woman shortlist will be drawn up to select Labour's assembly election candidate in a key seat.

Well, it's all rather irrelevant what Labour chooses to do so long as they have Comrade Corbyn as their leader...

If he hangs on to The Leadership long enough to lead them into the next election, The Tories will win a 400 plus seat majority...

It will make Thatcher in '83 look like a near thing...

[Scooter]

Or someone may think it's appropriate to have selection by merit, rather than gender?

Because clearly the only reason that men overwhelmingly dominate most legislative assemblies is because of merit, and it is impossible to find any women candidates as or more meritorious.

How many gays are their in the Welsh assembly? Gay only shortlist?

No one has any idea of how many gays there are in the Welsh assembly or any other legislature because it is not outwardly apparent as gender is. Certainly in the Canadian federal parliament, the proportion of openly gay and lesbian MPs comes far closer to the proportion of gays and lesbians in the population than the proportion of women MPs does vis-à-vis the proportion of the population who are women.

[Gob]

Because clearly the only reason that men overwhelmingly dominate most legislative assemblies is because of merit, and it is impossible to find any women candidates as or more meritorious.

Well that becomes a moot point if you exclude men from applying.

[rubato]

The question is, how do you get from one place to another. How do you get from a world where women are barred unfairly by historical prejudice from access to the professions, to positions of political, judicial and social power to a world which is effectively 'gender-blind' in access?

If we accept that the predominance of men in positions of political power or in the professions are due to historical sexism then what remedies are available to change that? And are there remedies which are justified during the transition which would not be justified in the end state?

And how can you tell that we have reached the point where temporary remedies are no longer acceptable?

And in the area of political representation the picture is even cloudier. If there are no objective tests for who will be 'better' and who will only be 'different' then it is much easier to justify a preference for the excluded group. And that is more true in politics than in most activities.


Calling this 'sexism' without trying to delineate those facts is simple ignorance. Really childish reasoning. I thought we were past that sort of knee-jerk reaction.


yrs,
rubato

[Gob]

.


Calling this 'sexism' without trying to delineate those facts is simple ignorance. Really childish reasoning. I thought we were past that sort of knee-jerk reaction.


yrs,
rubato

We are, some of us have also developed a sense of when humour is being used. Though your Aspergers counts against you joining us.

[Scooter]

No more needs to be said, except to those who reflexively reach down to shield the jewels whenever male predominance in positions of power is subjected to even the most minute challenges.

[rubato]

.


Calling this 'sexism' without trying to delineate those facts is simple ignorance. Really childish reasoning. I thought we were past that sort of knee-jerk reaction.


yrs,
rubato

We are, some of us have also developed a sense of when humour is being used. Though your Aspergers counts against you joining us.

Missed the point again, didn't you? Try reading the whole thing and not getting so defensive about your little lapses of judgement?


yrs,
rubato

[Gob]

Oh god, he doesn't get it does he?

[MajGenl.Meade]

How many gays are their in the Welsh assembly?

Return CPs smartphone to him at once, young man!