As a woman entrepreneur and business owner for over 25 years, I know only too well that there is still so much discrimination against women in the workplace.  

It isn’t always conscious. But it is definitely there and especially when it comes to top positions in government and in large organisations because that is where real power lies.

I used to think that shortlists were unfair and would not work.

Now I have changed my mind as nothing else seems to work. 

I applaud the Tory party’s determination to use shortlists to give more women the opportunity to become leaders in our society.

There is still a very long way to go though.

More on that another day.