FIT TO GOVERN; Sexism rap for top Tory who says only attractive women should be MPs.

Byline: JAMES LYONS 

A SENIOR Tory official has been blasted after a TV gaffe in which he said women should try to become MPs only if they are attractive.

Constituency association chairman Alan Scard told Channel 4 News: "If they are attractive, yeah, I would say go for it.

"I know it's a sexist thing to say but you could get the blokes saying, 'Oh, you know, I would vote for her because she's really attractive.' "But then women say, 'Oh, I don't like her. She's too attractive.' " He had been asked about Tory leader David Cameron's statement that he wanted more Tory women coming into Parliament.

Mr Cameron said he hoped they would replace MPs who will be retiring this Parliamentary session, many of them standing down at the general election expected in May.

Cabinet minister Tessa Jowell said: "These comments are deeply offensive and hugely patronising to women.

"They are exactly the type of Tory attitude David Cameron claims to have got rid of."

Ms Jowell, Cabinet Office minister and Paymaster General, added: "In the last two weeks we've seen Tories denying homophobia exists, condemning the NHS and now this blatant sexism."

Mr Scard was speaking after a dispute between activists and the party leadership over what kind of MP they should pick to represent his Gosport constituency in Hants.

One experienced local councillor who put his name forward has been blocked by Tory HQ.

Councillor Graham Burgess claimed he had been rejected probably because he was a man and because he was too old.

Mr Burgess said: "It could be I'm the wrong age, the wrong sex, or even have a beard. I'm being told I will get feedback late in August.

"One of the dangers I feel is that they are trying to have a stereotype as a candidate, whereas a lot of the local people want someone who actually lives in the area, who knows the problems of the area and can try and portray them properly."

He said this was "as opposed to someone who will have to start from scratch and learn about the area".

Gosport Tories are picking a replacement for Sir Peter Viggers.

He was forced to stand down after revelations that he tried to claim a floating duck house from taxpayerfunded second home allowances.

CAPTION(S):

OUTRAGED Tessa Jowell SCARD DECISION Would Tory MPs Ann Widdecombe or Chloe Smith pass Scard's test?