Captain Moonlight: Invitation declined

THERE are few higher satisfactions than the reinforcement of a prejudice. Let me give you an example. I have always thought John Carlisle, the Tory MP for Luton North, a complete prat; so I was particularly pleased to read his response to an invitation to join the 300 Group, the organisation lobbying for more women in Parliament: 'I regret that I must decline your kind invitation to become a 'Friend' of the 300 Group as I believe that, even if yours was the last organisation on earth, I would still avoid membership. I am, however, encouraged to learn that a woman's place is in the house.'