Before the last general election Mr Cameron meddled with candidate-selection procedures to enhance social and ethnic diversity.

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It occurs even when massive fees are paid or rigorous selection procedures applied.

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Only political anoraks have so far taken any interest in the mechanics of selection procedures, and the casualties have been small fry.

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According to Acpo, the plans would represent "affirmative action", which it defines as the process of prioritising minorities once they have passed initial selection procedures.

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The crucial missing word could have been used to mean schools would not have been allowed to introduce selection procedures under Labour but those with selection rules would be allowed to keep them.

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