Political bias

Commenting on the decision that BNP membership policy is still racist, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (your report, 13 March) stated: "Political parties are obliged to respect the law and not discriminate against people who wish to become members."

Why, then, are parties allowed to discriminate among those wishing to become their members of parliament? Setting aside seats for women only is clearly discrimination against men, whereas none currently exists against women.

The House of Commons Speaker's Conference proposes further elitism in the form of shortlists for black and ethnic minority candidates. Presumably these would be subdivided into male and female preserves.

Such politically correct social engineering has neither logic nor common sense and can't possibly achieve "equality" without the logistical and sociological nightmare of separate male and female constituencies.

ROBERT DOW

Ormiston Road

Tranent, East Lothian