A FORMER leader of Worcester City Council has welcomed the arrival of Britain's second female Prime Minister - pointing to it being achieved without an all-women's shortlist.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, who runs Worcester's Conservatives, says Theresa May's rise to Downing Street is another blow for backers of "positive discrimination".

Back in 2011 the politician quit the Labour Party after a series of disagreements, one of which was the use of an all-women's shortlist to find a 2015 parliamentary candidate.

The controversial decision by party officials scuppered any hopes of Councillor Bayliss getting the position, which in the end went to Councillor Joy Squires.

With Andrea Leadsom pulling out of the Conservative leadership race to allow Mrs May a coronation to Number 10, Councillor Bayliss said the Tories had again broken new ground.

"Theresa May is just my kind of Conservative, she's sensible, moderate, in the middle ground and is head and shoulders above Andrea Leadsom in terms of experience," he said.

"But I'm also delighted we've got a second woman Prime Minister without the need for an all-women's shortlist.

"What that shows is that candidates of all genders can rise to the top without positive discrimination."

He also said he was saddened by David Cameron's resignation, but insisted he had to step down after Brexit.

"He's been an excellent Prime Minister and I'm really sad he's gone, but he can look back with pride," he said.

"After the referendum result he had no choice, Britain needs a new Prime Minister and Theresa May was already my declared candidate, I've no issue with party members not being able to vote."

The ill-feeling from Worcester Labour Party using an all-women's shortlist for its last parliamentary candidate also led to the eventual resignation of ex-councillor Pam Clayton, who also swapped sides to join the city's Conservatives.

The Worcester News revealed yesterday how Councillor Squires, who finished second last year to Robin Walker, will not be contesting the city seat at the next general election, saying she is devoted to her current role as deputy city council leader.

In recent days senior Labour figures in the city have joined the calls for Mrs May to hold a general election.