Indeed, the postcolonial/identitarian Left have become so far removed from the broad concerns of ordinary voters, preferring the echo chamber of their niche activism, that they've left the field clear for the populist Right, (issues of competency around the incumbent Tories will be their downfall). Across the western world, 2024 will Indeed see the increasing irrelevance of the Left, and as an old skool Lefty, my feelings are ambivalent about that. Perhaps the need a good political kicking to waken them from the ridiculous cul-de-sac that they are rapidly becoming trapped in...
"Identity politics" started as a way to give voice to the voiceless, but has quickly transformed into the most privileged people in society claiming victimhood.
And it's a great route to a salaried job for middle class students. Declare yourself "non-binary", self-diagnose as "having autism" (never "being autistic") - and voila, you can have a comfy, pensionable job in the Third Sector "delivering diversity training".
Thrill as you lecture parents who don't know how they'll feed their kids next week on their "privilege"! Get your rocks off making life-changing decisions about families whose chaotic background you'll never understand!
No life experience required!
Who do we vote for? Conservatives who don't conserve anything, and are ushering in a surveillance state? A Labour Party who ignores the working classes other than as voting fodder? Scottish Liberal Democrats who are neither Liberal nor Democratic, and don't want to be Scottish? Greens who don't care about environmentalism or communities? An SNP who refuse to work for independence?
I've found myself defined by Political Compass as a left libertarian, whose nearest public figure is Pyotr Kropotkin! But I'm sure I'm just a down-the-line indy-supporting social democrat. Have I found myself in this position just for standing still?
Firstly, Happy New Year Iain. 🥃
Indeed, the postcolonial/identitarian Left have become so far removed from the broad concerns of ordinary voters, preferring the echo chamber of their niche activism, that they've left the field clear for the populist Right, (issues of competency around the incumbent Tories will be their downfall). Across the western world, 2024 will Indeed see the increasing irrelevance of the Left, and as an old skool Lefty, my feelings are ambivalent about that. Perhaps the need a good political kicking to waken them from the ridiculous cul-de-sac that they are rapidly becoming trapped in...
Anyway, lang may yer lum reek
Hi Iain. Happy New Year to you. T
This is such an accurate, and depressing, read.
"Identity politics" started as a way to give voice to the voiceless, but has quickly transformed into the most privileged people in society claiming victimhood.
And it's a great route to a salaried job for middle class students. Declare yourself "non-binary", self-diagnose as "having autism" (never "being autistic") - and voila, you can have a comfy, pensionable job in the Third Sector "delivering diversity training".
Thrill as you lecture parents who don't know how they'll feed their kids next week on their "privilege"! Get your rocks off making life-changing decisions about families whose chaotic background you'll never understand!
No life experience required!
Who do we vote for? Conservatives who don't conserve anything, and are ushering in a surveillance state? A Labour Party who ignores the working classes other than as voting fodder? Scottish Liberal Democrats who are neither Liberal nor Democratic, and don't want to be Scottish? Greens who don't care about environmentalism or communities? An SNP who refuse to work for independence?
I've found myself defined by Political Compass as a left libertarian, whose nearest public figure is Pyotr Kropotkin! But I'm sure I'm just a down-the-line indy-supporting social democrat. Have I found myself in this position just for standing still?