Sir – Sexist language is for dinosaurs and ignoramuses. This is not 1913. We have female MPs. A female pilot is not an aviatrix. The prime minister is not a prime minister-man.

People need to know that a woman can be anything a man can be and that is why a firefighter is not called a fireman. I saw a firefighter recently put out a fire next door to me and she was in charge.

I was that little girl who asked my dad if I could be a policeman. I want my daughter to tell me she knows she can be a police officer or chair of a committee. This is her right.

People do not have the right to be called what they want. Given a free rein to choose one’s own title, would ‘your majesty’ be deemed suitable?

In any event, right-wing orthodoxy insists that rights should not infringe on liberties (as the Tories and Lib Dems should be well aware). In this case, the so-called right to use sexist language limits the freedom of others to aspire to hold a position. ‘Leader of the council’ is a gender neutral term so why keep ‘chairman’? I would not be happy to be called ‘madam chairman’ as it makes no sense. The title should be ‘chair’ or ‘chairperson’ (if there is a fear of sounding wooden or furniture-like).

I am extremely proud of my father, John Christie, for fighting for the powerful tool of language to be used to promote equality. If anyone thinks a desire to be equal and the power of speech are a waste of time, might I suggest that they study the works of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

Helen Christie, Middle Barton