Male patriarchy (From Western Telegraph)

Male patriarchy

9:44am Wednesday 2nd May 2012 in Letters

WHILST talking to people about the forthcoming elections I was disappointed to hear that voters in one area were being told that a young female candidate was only on the ballot paper to make up the numbers, giving the impression that a vote for her would be a wasted vote. Having witnessed the amount of work and effort that a candidate has to put in to gain our votes, I can only conclude that everyone who puts their name forward for selection is serious about advancing the wishes and rights of the communities for which they hope to represent.

However in my view, even as part of an election strategy, there should be no room for the type of condescending male patriarchy which tries to impose on voters who they should and shouldn’t vote for.

EVERYONE on the ballot paper is a bone-fide candidate hoping for your vote.

Tarne Durbin, Llanychaer.