THE recent council tax debate and its unfortunate aftermath generated as much heat as light.

A recent contribution to this debate by Diane Rebecchi (Postbag, March 15), maybe hints at the roots of this gender controversy.

Consider of a situation where it would be necessary to publish a list of male councillors from the last forty years which commends them because they could ‘hold their own’.

There are some memorable personalities on Diane’s list, all of who could express themselves forcefully.

I am sure, however, they would prefer to be remembered for the contributions they made to their community in and out of the council chambers.

As would any councillor, irrespective of gender.

Indeed, the expression itself speaks of maintaining one’s position against a competitor or an opposing force. The language of conflict when, hopefully, a great deal of a councillor’s work requires consensus.

When I served on the Inverclyde District Council, three out of 20 councillors were female (if my memory is accurate).

Today it’s seven out of 22. Some improvement, but still far from gender parity.

From the little I know of our women councillors they seem a refreshingly diverse group. It would be interesting to get their views on how much of their work requires them to ‘hold their own’ against an opposing force.

John Moody

Port Glasgow