James Kirkup article, "Why are some MPs trying to shut down the transgender debate?"

[R0wantrees]

Concludes:
Surely a bright, thoughtful chap like him didn’t mean to imply that it was his job as Member of Parliament to tell newspapers what they can and cannot write? Surely he had no intention of acting as if it is in any way appropriate for a politician to decide what is and is not acceptable for journalists to say, and how they say it? And I can only hope that it was by a simple accident that he singled out by name a female journalist and suggested that her employers stop her saying the things that she thinks – because Doughty happens not to like her saying those things?

As I say, I must assume that he meant none of these things, that he had no such moronic and bullying intent when he spoke and acted as he did. I assume that Doughty is an honourable politician determined to do his job in a democracy and ensure that matters of public policy are debated fully and honestly, whether or not some people find such debate offensive. Because, as I am sure Doughty knows, there is no right not be offended and if we ever let hurt feelings stop us discussing matters of public interest on the basis of the facts, everyone loses.

And it is because I am sure that he is wholly committed to such debate that I decided to write this article. Thanks for everything you’re doing to encourage the free press and open debate, Mr Doughty.

blogs.spectator.co.uk/2018/05/why-are-some-mps-trying-to-shut-down-the-transgender-debate/

Another great article from James Kirkup. Thank you

Thanks James. Great piece.

A wonderful piece - although it's possible Stephen Doughty would disagree!

Very well put and reasonable.

Brilliant article. I couldn't believe it when I saw what that MP had said.

And not for the first time I find myself thinking, thank god for James Kirkup.

Doughty really does represent what's worst in MPs. His frantic repeated comments, talking over the editors continually and demonstrating total ignorance of the issues, zero interest in the rights of women or the safeguarding of children.
Every time I read one of @RedToothBrush 's measured posts, encouraging listening, respect, seeking compromise, I wonder what society would be like if we had MPs like her - rather than Stephen Doughty.

link to the MN thread discussing the Home Affairs Committee here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3233421-Home-Affairs-Committee-Hate-crime-enquiry-Newspaper-editors-interviewed

Great article James - measured, evidence-based and thoughtful. Thank you.

Great article.

Don't MPs like this realise that people shutting down debate about things like medical ethics regarding what is in the best interests of children is going to create genuine transphobia?

Not to mention that if MPs are listening to lobby groups over evidence-based views that contradict them, that is going to have serious consequences for kids.

Newspapers should quite rightly be asking the kinds of questions in the articles he singled out. Especially if MPs aren't!

Great great article. Thank god this is being said. It ought to be front page news.

Indeed Fifi.

Also I would totally vote for RedToothBrush

Thank you, James.

I watched those videos in horror. It’s hard sometimes to stand up for what I believe to be right, when so many I would previously have regarded as intelligent and reasonable now regard me as bigoted and an extremist.

I can only hope that as it comes under wider discussion, that we will find the voice of reason swelling and the public discourse changing. In the meantime, thank you James.

I can only hope that as it comes under wider discussion, that we will find the voice of reason swelling and the public discourse changing.

This is already happening.

No one I have spoken to thinks anyone standing up for their own rights is bigoted, once they understand what is actually going on.

Great article! Thanks for sharing.

Yet another brilliant article, thank you James (you're on here somewhere, aren't you...?)

Good.

Stephen Doughty MP is rather peeved!

great article. i love the way that man writes.

Well at least it sounds like everyone is after the same thing from the MP's tweets.

He says he wants a debate with 'respect, humanity and decency on both sides.' Just like WPUK.

Maybe he will come to the Basingstoke meeting. WPUK should invite him.

Great work from James Kirkup.
Another vote here for RedToothBrush

Great article, interesting to see what comes out of his coffee with Doughty

No comments allowed on this one?

Do the Spectator normally do comments?

Thank you James if you're reading.

At least that tweet from Doughty suggests he's up for discussing it but how unsurprising that he'll talk to a man rather than Janice Turner or Julie Bindel or Sarah Ditum or Hadley Freeman etc. No reflection on James Kirkup who has said himself that he gets far less abuse than the women do.