Tiffany Jenkins: Sisters should be doing it for themselves

She's not the only one protesting about the almost all-male line-up in the new coalition government. There was something of a hissy fit when the top table was announced. Female commentators have been wailing in their droves. Is this a really a "new politics", they cry, when most of the top posts are taken by white, middle-class men?

Labour's Lord Charlie Falconer, just out of power, has joined in the chorus of complaint, whingeing on BBC1's Question Time that there are too many "Misters". Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes denounced it as a failure, arguing that positive discrimination was necessary to form a fair parliament.

They have a point, if only a small one. The top-table is packed with blokes and is light on the ladies. Out of 23 members, only four appointed to the Cabinet this week are women. Theresa May is Home Secretary, Caroline Spelman is in charge of environment and Cheryl Gillan has been appointed Welsh Secretary. Baroness Warsi, the fourth, is also the only ethnic minority member and the first Muslim women to serve in Cabinet. She has been given the role of minister without portfolio and is the Conservative Party chair.

There is a sprinkling of girl power in the more junior positions, including the Conservative MP Theresa Villiers at transport and the Liberal Democrat Lynne Featherstone who has been appointed a junior Home Office minister with responsibility for equality.

During the election campaign, there were more sightings of, and column inches about, the leaders' wives than the female politicians running – although, despite the minor amount of major roles, it should be pointed out the number of women MPs is up ever so slightly. So it's not all that equal. And, yes, Britain lags well behind other western democracies when it comes to gender balance. According the Centre for Women and Democracy, women make up 53 per cent of Spain's cabinet, 50 per cent of Sweden's, 38 per cent of Germany's, 33 per cent of France's and 31 per cent of the United States'. That just under 20 per cent of Cameron's ministers are women, is a sorry comparison.

But is this lack of women in senior posts a major problem about which something must be done? With my apologies to the sisterhood, I don't think so and certainly not for the reasons suggested. What we should be worrying about is the politics and policies of the new political elite. It matters less if they are black or white, male or female, than what they believe in and what they plan to do.

With this in mind, and despite my female credentials, I am not best pleased with the appointment of Theresa May or Lady Warsi. I have rarely agreed with May on any issue and doubt that will change, especially with her in charge of the Home Office. Similarly with Lady Warsi – we don't quite see eye to eye. In fact, given that the baroness is an unelected member of the House of Lords, I am not convinced she should be there at all.

She didn't earn her place through the public vote. One of the problems with the last cabinet was the number of unelected ministers making important decisions. If I have any concern about the line-up, it's that the fresh faces are career politicians and far apart from the people.

We are in the early days of a new government, one whose trajectory is unclear. There is an economic downturn to tackle, troops in Afghanistan to bring home and much reform planned of public services. Instead of scrutinising the birth and background of those involved, we need to examine what they think and what their intentions are. And, frankly, it sounds like sour grapes when those who have just been kicked out of power complain about the gender, ethnicity and class of those who have it now.

It is said by some that women in government bring a female perspective and understanding of women's problems in society. They are meant to hold a more natural, feminine and gentle approach to issues. What nonsense. There is nothing more patronising than the idea more women are needed in politics to make it nicer and more conciliatory. Have they forgotten Margaret Thatcher? Theresa May voted against women's access to abortion. She's a Tory first, for goodness sake, despite her large shoe collection.

And while there should be a better male-female balance, does anyone miss Jacqui Smith as home secretary or Margaret Beckett as foreign secretary? Some are worried Yvette Cooper won't stand for Labour leader. I worry that she will. Cooper hasn't earned that position. The picture of Blair's Babes is now an embarrassment. Where are they now? Let's get real. What matters is not your sex but what you think and what you do.

With the onslaught of criticism of the gender balance, it would be insulting if Nick Clegg and David Cameron were to eye up their flock and promote women because of their sex. Tokenism would make things worse. Positive discrimination results in the more able being passed over and breeds resentment. As a woman – to coin a phrase that is overused – I can tell you the suspicion you have been promoted because of your gender instead of your ability is crushing. Discrimination is never positive.

There is a problem with the small number of people wanting to be politicians today. It is not a popular option. While today's young men and women have the independence, opportunities and influence previous generations could only dream of, they don't seem all that keen to make the most of it. This won't change by promoting women over men because of who they are instead of their abilities. Jobs for the girls won't inspire anyone or restore faith in politics.