Beginning to think feminists are nothing but a meddling bunch.

Understand how some might feel uncomfortable and even embarrassed with a topless beautiful woman smiling back at them from page 3 of The Sun paper first thing in the morning. But I am surprised at the fuss they are making about it and even shocked they want to all together ban it.

The excuse those young beautiful women are exploited or belittled it laughable. Most women on page 3 are glamour models. That means they pose topless or with little cloth on for a living. Plus it is not at all the same as working in the sex industry, which if they did, will disqualify them from being on page 3. And another requirement for models to get on page 3 is to have their own natural breasts (no implants). Some would say that promotes positive self-image and confidence in women. Not that I would encourage or ever want any of my own daughters to do it. But we live in a free world and we should respect other peoples’ choices even if they don’t agree with ours, as long as these choices don’t intrude on our own. We are of course also free to not buy or pick up and read a free copy left on the train/in the trash if it offends us. But to ban it, is neither progressive nor respectful to women. It dictates what women should or should not do with their bodies and that is backwards and disrespectful to women and their independence.

I can hear many shouting, and you call yourself a Conservative? My answer to them will be it’s because I am a Conservative I have respect and tolerance for peoples’ freedoms and expect them to do the same for mine.

We want women to reach the highest levels in the City and the boardrooms of the country. But at the same time we decree what parts of their body they should and should not show. That to me sounds like utopic hypocrisy.

I also find it comical it is the same feminists who accuse Saudi Arabia of being backward for oppressing women and not allow them to vote, drive, forces them to cover-up and only travel accompanied by a male (any male, sometimes a boy of 9 will do) are now petitioning to ban page 3 where women are free to choice unforced.

To me that just sounds like a bunch of interfering busybodies who want to assert themselves with controlling others. The better way to safeguard young women from exploitation (if that is the riding concern here) will be to empower and educate them. Give women and girls of all ages the tools and confidence needed to stand on their own two feet. Teach them how to love and respect themselves, how to become good loving mothers and role models for their daughters’ and the future generations. Because progress does not come from banning things it comes from confidence and from knowing who you are and what you’re worth.