The Right Dishonourable

Ever since the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 the prospect of north Britain breaking away from its southern neighbours has loomed large in Westminster politics. This is despite the fact that a healthy majority of 55.3% voted for Scotland to remain in the United Kingdom.

There are several causes for this. At the top is the fact the Scottish National Party (SNP) has used its control of the Holyrood administration to continue campaigning for independence despite rejection in a direct vote. Many have also leveraged the disparity between English and Scottish votes respectively for and against Brexit to justify a re-run.

I retain my respect for James O’Brien even though he continues to insult me. The talk show host has consistently alleged that as a leaver voter I was tricked into voting against my own interests by the conmen in the Vote Leave campaign.

The ‘false consciousness’ theory of voting has long been espoused by progressive campaigners frustrated that their conservative opponents prove more persuasive to the disadvantaged in society. The idea allows people to maintain their sense of righteousness, while also undermining the legitimacy of opposing viewpoints.

It is a mystery to me what upsets wokies about Jordan Peterson so much. The psychologist and self-help guru might have made a lot of fuss about pronouns – for gawd’s sake – but much of his output ranges from the banal to the eccentric.

Even thumbing the chapters of his bestseller 12 Rules For Life gives you a flavour of this. The advice ranges from “make friends with people who want the best for you” to “do not bother children when they are skateboarding”. There’s allegedly a long passage about lobsters and relations between the sexes too.

As I wrote last week, it is inherently interesting when someone loses a job. In the case of former Guardian columnist Suzanne Moore she left of her own choosing, but only under pressure from colleagues who objected to her views in the great trans debate.

Doubtless some of Moore’s critics are glad that she has exited, and I suspect Moore feels relief too. Today she has laid out the saga in UnHerd, placed within her own history in journalism.