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Competence is the key

Jan 17 2010 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

IT is to be hoped Newcastle Council manages to keep its balls in the latest handbags-at-dawn political row.

It turns out all the council’s top men are just that - men.

There are no women on its strategic leadership team of senior managers.

Really? Hadn’t noticed. Don’t care.

As long as those in positions of responsibility are the best individuals for the job, I’m happy.

This column has never subscribed to the principle of positive discrimination.

Doesn’t matter if high-ranking staff are white, black, or sky blue pink with yellow dots.

Doesn’t matter if they are men or women, able or disabled, straight or gay.

All I want to know is if they are up to the job.

That’s why I don’t share concerns that Newcastle - at the moment - is run by men.

Yet a bunch of female councillors have got their knickers in a twist at the perceived imbalance of power between blokes and birds.

Apparently women listen more and have a more collaborative style of leadership.

So women should, the argument goes, have some of the jobs.

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