Fair comment Paul. The liberal, welcoming and inclusive left, hard at work embracing diversity………unless of course that diversity means you hold an opposing view…….We need to return to meaningful and respectful debate!
Well speaking as a knuckle dragging Nazi I think your assessment has some merit. Knowing your proliferation for a good old night in with Hitler Youth marching songs while you browse Mein Kampf clearly isn’t getting through to the masses!
I actually find it frightening how what used to be normal concerns (for example over mass migration) have become 'far right' ideas. This has effectively chilled open debate. I used to love discussing politics but your views are no longer just views. They are you and represent your moral fibre., and whether you're good or bad. For a while now I've just accepted that maybe I have become right wing (based on the new definition) But, deep down, I still feel I'm more on the left. But old-school left. I moved to Hungary several years ago and I feel that Hungarians are themselves old/traditional left and very community spirited (despite the way they've also been labelled as far right by the media) However, due to their experience with communism they would probably avoid that label. Generally,
I feel that these labels have lost their meaning and as you said, frequently misused. Paul, your articles, are a sanity saver and really give me hope!
Paul, I’m a bit late to the party but you’re spot on. However, to be fair, I do remember back in the ’80s, when the tabloid press used to smear anyone who disagreed with Thatcherite economics or (sometimes) quite-bigoted views as the ‘loony left’.
Anyway, the contemporary use of the term ‘far right’ is equally laughable. It’s a sign that the Overton window has dramatically shifted, over the last few years. I mean, come on – many of today’s political commentators would probably describe Paddy Ashdown’s Lib Dems as the dreaded ‘far right’.
The worst offender I’ve seen is the journalist, Paul Mason, who seems to be on a never-ending crusade to ‘fight fascism’. Problem is, all of his political beliefs seem to revolve around the marriage between an overbearing state and big corporate interests – the very definition of fascism. If he occasionally took a look in the mirror, he might save himself a day’s work :)
Mason’s description of people protesting against mandatory covid vaccinations as ‘fascists’ and ‘far right’ was a particular low point, even for him.
As a card-carrying Conservative and rep here in this great city (Sydney), I fully conquer with your article and look forward to reading many more over the coming weeks and months. With two children, both of which are on some form of spectrum, not sure whether it's a post Covid spectrum, a Social Media addiction spectrum, a poor parenting spectrum or a combination of all three; suffice to say I have banned certain words in the house, yes banned them as in, I'm dictator around the dinner table. Although nobody takes a blind bit of notice. When I say, "kids can you explain what racism is", and to give you some context, I belong (yes belong) in a mixed-race marriage, my wife being Chinese, my children being a strange combination of Northern English and Chinese, and very racist - my daughter just shrugs. She complained the other day that she was being taunted at school by 'pretending' to be English because she used the word 'sin', i.e., have you 'sin' that new Netflix show. I was then roundly blamed around chips, beans and egg (I eat old-school at least once a week) that I had mauled her accent and made her say things 'wrongly'. Out of the mouths of Babes...
I love reading your Articles Paul. I agree on some things you say & disagree with some things you say, but i know you won't call me useless names & I won't call you useless names, we will use the word DEBATE instead. So refreshing!
I’m not actually sure where Labour are and have almost become convinced they don’t know theirselves. Sure Starmer will ultimately become a prisoner of the hard left tho !!
There's a long discussion there. What is 'far left'? What is a progressive, global and corporate party that wants high taxes, mass immigration and a big state and that opposes free speech etc.? Sounds far right - just without the nationalist bit.
Another good post on “far right” which ends “they mustn’t be allowed to do so without challenge”. Which I agree with and I have just ordered your book as you may say more about that therein.
As I may have mentioned to you earlier, I am “a bit right wing” to the degree that I suspect you are “a bit left wing” (old definitions) - which probably means that we could have a good debate and respect and tolerate each other’s views. I am 70 and I am guessing you are c.45 so I do remember all and you might just remember some environments which were massively different in UK from what we have now and where I can cite 11 significant emerged issues:
- introduction of internet and social media
- EU membership and non-membership
- massive immigration
- until now, absence of wars involving both Russia and USA for 75 years
- ever widening gaps between haves and have nots in relation to income and wealth
- shift in industrial dominance to the east
- weak influence of the Christian church and the related(?) breakdown of the nationwide prevalence of the “marriage and two kids” family
- rising influence of the Muslim/Islam religion/race/political model and, IMO, its significantly intransigent position
- a change for the worse in law and order
- economic mismanagement which sees 10-15% of working age people not working
- a pandemic from 2020 affecting one third of the U.K. population and killing 1% of them (worldwide said to be 1% and 1%)
All these, including certain elements of the first, are negatives and they drive good people away from formal political involvement such that we get a parliament of generally decreasing calibre participation.
Turning to the future:
How many of these 11 things is the likely imminent Labour government able and likely to address; how many can be influenced by acceptably peaceful public pressure?
My answers: I do not know x 3
My reflections on 14 years of Conservative government: in broad terms 0/11
My knowledge of a Labour government’s intentions: 0/11
My question: should I vote Reform: no, but I might out of exasperation
Your question: how can you and a few contributors to Substack come together on a nationwide format and not just comment on but influence behaviour in a potentially significant manner?
I would counter the opposite Martin though they probably don’t know theirselves and which for myself, is sufficient reason ‘not’ to be taken seriously but whatever and at my x militatary age of 69, I’ve ‘never’ known our country to be in such a diabolical state and I utterly despise where we are now !
Doesn't this show the age old distinction that those on the right assume those on the left are well intentioned but wrong; those on the left assume those on the right are wrong because of bad intentions - after all, why else would you oppose fairness and kindness?
Fair comment Paul. The liberal, welcoming and inclusive left, hard at work embracing diversity………unless of course that diversity means you hold an opposing view…….We need to return to meaningful and respectful debate!
Well speaking as a knuckle dragging Nazi I think your assessment has some merit. Knowing your proliferation for a good old night in with Hitler Youth marching songs while you browse Mein Kampf clearly isn’t getting through to the masses!
I actually find it frightening how what used to be normal concerns (for example over mass migration) have become 'far right' ideas. This has effectively chilled open debate. I used to love discussing politics but your views are no longer just views. They are you and represent your moral fibre., and whether you're good or bad. For a while now I've just accepted that maybe I have become right wing (based on the new definition) But, deep down, I still feel I'm more on the left. But old-school left. I moved to Hungary several years ago and I feel that Hungarians are themselves old/traditional left and very community spirited (despite the way they've also been labelled as far right by the media) However, due to their experience with communism they would probably avoid that label. Generally,
I feel that these labels have lost their meaning and as you said, frequently misused. Paul, your articles, are a sanity saver and really give me hope!
Excellent article! Spot on!
Thank you.
Great article
Paul, I’m a bit late to the party but you’re spot on. However, to be fair, I do remember back in the ’80s, when the tabloid press used to smear anyone who disagreed with Thatcherite economics or (sometimes) quite-bigoted views as the ‘loony left’.
Anyway, the contemporary use of the term ‘far right’ is equally laughable. It’s a sign that the Overton window has dramatically shifted, over the last few years. I mean, come on – many of today’s political commentators would probably describe Paddy Ashdown’s Lib Dems as the dreaded ‘far right’.
The worst offender I’ve seen is the journalist, Paul Mason, who seems to be on a never-ending crusade to ‘fight fascism’. Problem is, all of his political beliefs seem to revolve around the marriage between an overbearing state and big corporate interests – the very definition of fascism. If he occasionally took a look in the mirror, he might save himself a day’s work :)
Mason’s description of people protesting against mandatory covid vaccinations as ‘fascists’ and ‘far right’ was a particular low point, even for him.
As a card-carrying Conservative and rep here in this great city (Sydney), I fully conquer with your article and look forward to reading many more over the coming weeks and months. With two children, both of which are on some form of spectrum, not sure whether it's a post Covid spectrum, a Social Media addiction spectrum, a poor parenting spectrum or a combination of all three; suffice to say I have banned certain words in the house, yes banned them as in, I'm dictator around the dinner table. Although nobody takes a blind bit of notice. When I say, "kids can you explain what racism is", and to give you some context, I belong (yes belong) in a mixed-race marriage, my wife being Chinese, my children being a strange combination of Northern English and Chinese, and very racist - my daughter just shrugs. She complained the other day that she was being taunted at school by 'pretending' to be English because she used the word 'sin', i.e., have you 'sin' that new Netflix show. I was then roundly blamed around chips, beans and egg (I eat old-school at least once a week) that I had mauled her accent and made her say things 'wrongly'. Out of the mouths of Babes...
I love reading your Articles Paul. I agree on some things you say & disagree with some things you say, but i know you won't call me useless names & I won't call you useless names, we will use the word DEBATE instead. So refreshing!
Thank you.
The only chink of light in the darkness is the thought of all those Tory MPs losing their seats for being thought ‘far right.’
So where would you emplace Labour right now ???
I suppose if Labour is now far left then from there, anyone even in the centre is 'far right'.
I’m not actually sure where Labour are and have almost become convinced they don’t know theirselves. Sure Starmer will ultimately become a prisoner of the hard left tho !!
There's a long discussion there. What is 'far left'? What is a progressive, global and corporate party that wants high taxes, mass immigration and a big state and that opposes free speech etc.? Sounds far right - just without the nationalist bit.
I haven't read all the comments but is this amongst them? It's very funny...
https://youtu.be/LsbRrTULpgA?si=ra6gI0wbjD4bqRIy
Great writing Paul, always concise, honest and logical.
Many thanks!
Paul
Another good post on “far right” which ends “they mustn’t be allowed to do so without challenge”. Which I agree with and I have just ordered your book as you may say more about that therein.
As I may have mentioned to you earlier, I am “a bit right wing” to the degree that I suspect you are “a bit left wing” (old definitions) - which probably means that we could have a good debate and respect and tolerate each other’s views. I am 70 and I am guessing you are c.45 so I do remember all and you might just remember some environments which were massively different in UK from what we have now and where I can cite 11 significant emerged issues:
- introduction of internet and social media
- EU membership and non-membership
- massive immigration
- until now, absence of wars involving both Russia and USA for 75 years
- ever widening gaps between haves and have nots in relation to income and wealth
- shift in industrial dominance to the east
- weak influence of the Christian church and the related(?) breakdown of the nationwide prevalence of the “marriage and two kids” family
- rising influence of the Muslim/Islam religion/race/political model and, IMO, its significantly intransigent position
- a change for the worse in law and order
- economic mismanagement which sees 10-15% of working age people not working
- a pandemic from 2020 affecting one third of the U.K. population and killing 1% of them (worldwide said to be 1% and 1%)
All these, including certain elements of the first, are negatives and they drive good people away from formal political involvement such that we get a parliament of generally decreasing calibre participation.
Turning to the future:
How many of these 11 things is the likely imminent Labour government able and likely to address; how many can be influenced by acceptably peaceful public pressure?
My answers: I do not know x 3
My reflections on 14 years of Conservative government: in broad terms 0/11
My knowledge of a Labour government’s intentions: 0/11
My question: should I vote Reform: no, but I might out of exasperation
Your question: how can you and a few contributors to Substack come together on a nationwide format and not just comment on but influence behaviour in a potentially significant manner?
Thanks for the thoughtful response. You pose some interesting questions that deserve a wide debate.
Thank you
I would counter the opposite Martin though they probably don’t know theirselves and which for myself, is sufficient reason ‘not’ to be taken seriously but whatever and at my x militatary age of 69, I’ve ‘never’ known our country to be in such a diabolical state and I utterly despise where we are now !
Doesn't this show the age old distinction that those on the right assume those on the left are well intentioned but wrong; those on the left assume those on the right are wrong because of bad intentions - after all, why else would you oppose fairness and kindness?
There's something in that.