PERSONALLY, I think that Richard Drax’s criticism of David Cameron’s choice of cabinet ministers was right on the button.

Now, more than ever, we need leaders who are selected on the basis of merit, not on gender. I was somewhat surprised to see the Green Party candidate, Lee Dalton, take issue with this.

His argument seems to be that women should be selected because they are women and regardless of merit.

Given the obvious damage that males of limited competence (and of both main parties) have done to the economy in the last decade, I am astounded that the Green Party is proposing to move from meritocracy to genderocracy as its policy.

Whether you agree with his politics or not, Mr Drax has the courage to stand up and be counted, even when his views are at odds with his own party. On this issue his views are clear: the right person for the job, with no regard for gender.

His Labour predecessor, Lord Knight, also earned the respect of voters on both sides of the political divide b ecause of his willingness to stand up and speak out on issues that he felt important.

Rather than twist words and snipe from the sidelines, Mr Dalton could learn from both Mr Drax and Lord Knight.

He might wish to start by declaring his political affiliations and aspirations in his frequent letters to the Echo, rather than pretending to be a man on the street with no vested interests.

James Young

Upwey