some are more equal than others

What does the word "equality" mean to you? Various sources around the internet describe it as

• the quality of being the same in quantity or measure or value or status
• a social state of affairs in which all people within a specific society or isolated group have the same status in a certain respect
• The fact of being equal, of having the same value
• The principle by which all persons or things under consideration are treated in the same way

Not so according to The Equalities Office. In the Equality Strategy [.pdf] published today they say that from April 2011 employers will be able to apply voluntary positive action in recruitment and promotion processes when faced with two or more candidates of equal merit, to address under-representation in the workforce (p15). But listen close gentle reader because this is not illegal discrimination, far from it, this is positive action which is perfectly legal.

Even the Equality Act 2010 [.pdf] has a provision that Compliance with the duties in this section may involve treating some persons more favourably than others; but that is not to be taken as permitting conduct that would otherwise be prohibited by or under this Act. (Part 2, Chapter 1, 149 (6)) which is part of the Equality Duty that also is due to come into effect in April 2011.

So if you happen to be part of certain groups based on your skin colour, sexual orientation, gender, age or body functionality, you can receive special treatment to advance your application for employment but if you are other groups you can't? Just precisely how is that anywhere fucking near any rational definition of equality?