Equality rule will limit opportunity

If parties decide which seats to reserve for women, that will not guarantee a single female member. That leaves the idea of actual constituencies being set aside for men and women, which would be a logistical nightmare and a democratic insult. If the determining factor is not ability, other subdivisions would inevitably claim representation as a right, based for example on race or religion.

The quota system is obviously inapplicable in this situation; if no female stands for a party in a reserved seat, that party's support is denied representation. The entire case is bogus; it is the inalienable democratic right of every accredited citizen to run for public office.

Robert Dow, Tranent