War on women
Sir: I am not sure about Paul Johnson's analysis of women and their rights (And another thing, 10 September). He argues that God made women the moral superiors of men. When did He say that? There is far too much talk about women's rights and opportunities; I think that we men should speak out on what we really think and believe about this impor-
LETTERS
tant issue. Paul Johnson makes much more of the matter than it really deserves.
I never worked for a woman boss, thank God, but I know some who have and they found them to be most domineering and demanding. They probably felt they had to be because of their previous status in what was once loosely described as a man's world. But putting women in positions of great and important responsibility is not necessarily a good thing.
Look at the record in the political arena alone: Barbara Castle — one of the worst transport ministers we ever had; she utterly and completely destroyed Merseyside's excellent transport system. Calling a con- ference of local authority representatives to discuss her proposals for combining trans- port undertakings, she let it be known from the outset that 'her will must prevail'. And of course it did.
The present Health Secretary, Virginia Bottomley, has a set speech on every occa- sion which trots out statistics but has no heart. And then there is the first woman Prime Minister who has probably left a legacy of 'never again a woman'.
Of course women have talent and they display it in many ways (in the theatre and other arts, nursing, medicine, writing etc.) but their supremacy is not something 'to look forward to' (however nervously) as Paul suggests.
I remember some time ago a lady who was a strong advocate of equal rights for women was in a club I belong to and took a drink from everyone in the company (all males) and never once did she repair to the bar.
Apparently it was not ladylike.
Richard Kimberley
58 Ackers Road, Merseyside
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