Where in the World? – GC World.

Labour, Kemi Badenoch, Gender Woo and Politics – some thoughts.

Out in “GC World” there remains some tension, of course, over other issues. Other than whether humans can change sex that is.

I’m going to start from the assumption that the true TRA believers are a very small minority. The large majority are either full on “Terfs”, or in quiet agreement. Some are quiet because they fear for their jobs, friendships etc. if they were to say what they really know. Some just don’t want the hassle, or have bought into the idea that the whole debate is toxic “on both sides” and don’t want to appear not to “be nice”.

I think my assumption stands, that the large majority of the country don’t believe in the gender woo.
Having said that, it follows that we will have all of the varying views on all kinds of other political issues, and that some people we agree with on gender, we will disagree with, often furiously, on other things.

I’m relaxed about this. Mostly because it is one of those things I realise I can’t change anyway, and because, even where I disagree, I can recognise that those views are worthy of respect in a democratic society. And I’ll argue against the things I do disagree with, while continuing to play my part, with many others, to oppose the gender nonsense.

That’s all an argument against tribalism. The idea that if you agree with someone, or an organisation, on one thing, you must sign up to all of their other views if you are to be allowed to remain in the ‘tribe’.

I’ve been a member of the Labour Party for a long time, and I’ve always rejected this tribal argument. This hasn’t always worked well for me within the party. Loyalty to everything is valued in political parties and stepping out of line tends to be punished, even if it’s only on one issue and you agree with your party on just about everything else, your card will be marked as ‘not a team player’.

Having said all of that, I do see around “GC World” on social media, some attitudes and behaviours which I think are evidence of people acting in a very tribal way, not just in the “GC” tribe, but often in tribes within the tribe. I’m not sure any of us can do anything about this. It’s human nature to want to belong and be with people who you feel are like you. As an example, here’s the kind of thing I see…

“I don’t believe that humans can change sex and any laws pretending that they can, will damage women, LGB people and others.”

Good. Facts. I’m totally with you there.

“A lot of the push for these gender laws comes from the ‘woke left’ for want of a better description.”

Again yes. Totally agree.

“A lot of the woke left vote for, are members of, and some are councillors or even MPs, in the Labour Party.”

Yes. More’s the pity, this is also true.

Next though is where we start to diverge…

“Because of the above, the Labour Party, all of it, and the government are the enemy, on every issue.”

Of course I’m going to disagree there. I’m not so tribal to think that everything the government does is brilliant, but I am going to support them on issues where I do agree, and there are some.

We can agree to differ on that, and on individual issues, but there’s another tribal leap of logic which some are making which is…

“As Labour are the enemy, and I oppose them on everything, I will therefore support anyone and everyone who opposes Labour, and I’ll agree with them on everything.”

This is where I wholly disagree.
I think this attitude is leading some people to affect to believe things and to support things which they honestly don’t, or wouldn’t support if it wasn’t for Labour’s recent record on LGB and womens’ rights. There is opposition to things, it seems solely on the basis that it is Labour that is doing them.

I think some people are asking the wrong questions.

Whenever the government does or announces something, the questions we should ask are “Do I agree with some or all of this, and disagree with some or all of it? And why? And do I know enough about the issue? Should I read some more about it? What should I say publicly about it?”

I think the only question some are asking is.

“What’s the best knee-jerk reaction to this which I hope will do the maximum damage to the Labour Party and government?”

I don’t think this is helpful, to anyone.

To finish, I’ll come to Kemi Badenoch, newly elected as leader of the Conservative Party in opposition. Obviously I agree with her on the womens’ rights issue. I probably don’t agree on very much else. You wouldn’t expect me to. I do have a lot of respect for her and how she does politics. She is able to make and argue a case for the things she believes. Not just slogans or sound bites. Arguments.

I very much hope that her leadership causes people in my party to defend their positions and policies in the same way, with arguments and facts, not slogans and soundbites.

I also think, hope, and believe that Kemi will answer the questions above in a non-tribal way. She may occasionally agree with the government. Her party and MPs can work, on some issues, on a cross-party basis. And where she and her party disagree with Labour, they will explain why, not just say “boo, you are evil”.

I really do hope so, and I hope that my own party reacts to that in the best possible way.

I welcome honest debate on the issues. Something sadly lacking from the gender crowd. I think it is always better than shouting and throwing insults.

With the way the world is going, particularly online, I might be swimming against the tide on this, but I’ve always been quite comfortable with that, if I honestly believe in what I’m saying or doing.

So if anyone wants blind loyalty from me, on everything, because we agree on one thing, sorry, you’re asking the wrong bloke. You won’t be getting it.