JK Rowling responds to pathetic Labour MP

RedToothBrush that’s a very interesting take on it, thanks. I think you’re right that he won’t have gone far enough for the TRAs.

Just saw this:

www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1302398/piers-morgan-GMB-keir-starmer-itv-host-labour-latest/amp

A quick point about shifting the Overton window.

In Labour the Overton window on this issue shifted to a position where TWAW was the only acceptable one. Anyone who didn't agree was wrong. But this was done quietly and without consultation and under the radar. Any dissent was purged or crushed through exerting fear very quickly.

To reverse this, the opposite isn't possible. Mainly because of the climate of fear that has built up.

So what has Keir Starmer done today?

He has pushed the Overton window back from where it was with no debate. He has said that this is open to debate and this must occur in an environment which is free from fear.

This might not be enough for most of us here.

However even the splinters in his bum are about pushback and moving the position of the Overton window within Labour.

This hopefully makes it easier for others to speak out and challenge the TWAW orthodoxy and to better reflect wider opinions in society.

This of course will be hated by trans activists as they know this means they have lost momentum and control of the narrative.

What's important here is the direction of travel. Its not necessarily sitting on the fence in quite the way it might appear.

Some reflection on this would be useful.

Starmer is as high on the kool aid as Rebecca Wrong-Daily et al were. He just had less integrity than they did, and wasn't willing to be up front about his values because he knew it would lose him votes. I had considerably more respect for and trust in the women who's views I found insane and misogynist, but at least they believed in being honest with their voters about what they would do when in power.

No, I won't vote Labour until it's a very, very different party the one it is now.

I am disappointed with KS. I know that he sat on the fence slightly during the leadership thing and he has to be careful not to upset the hard lefts but I'm wondering if I will ever be completely comfortable voting Labour again.

I am hopeful that Starmer can see that the tide is turning and he will fence sit on this issue until key events occur, such as the Tavistock court case. He's bright enough to see that parroting TWAW is a massive vote loser with the electorate.

The shine really came off TW for me when he threw himself behind the Carl Beecher (?) thing. I thought it was whiffy at the time and couldn’t understand why he was so certain it was the gods honest truth. It made him look foolish and rather vindictive (blinded by his dislike of those accused).

What did TW say?

^ The persecution of
@jk_rowling
is shocking. Despite the abuse, she still has the courage to speak out for what she believes in, which seems like a rare quality in these polarised times.

Her acceptance of Lloyd Russell-Moyle’s apology is classy, and worth reading.^

twitter.com/tom_watson/status/1277350666390900736

I worry that Starmer may prove to be the ultimate fence sitting.

The consummate lawyer who will adopt whatever position he needs to adopt.

The more I hear modern day politicians speak on topics like this the more I think we were spoilt by the previous generations of politicians. You may not have liked their politics by my god most of them had more integrity than the current crop I their little finger.

Hearing Michael Portillo join in the TWAW debate in Radio 4 a few months ago was enlightening - he had done his research and set out his position in a calm factual matter, something I don’t think I’ve heard from the current crop in a very long time.

It also wasn't a straight 'TWAW no debate', which Corbyn would have been pushing. Doubt he'd even have asked for an apology.

I am very disappointed, but I guess pp are right and Starmer wants to avoid the appearance of a purge.

If he is speaking with an eye to votes - and IMO, Labour could have done with a bit more of that these last five years - then good. Because all the evidence shows this is a massive vote-loser.

The response by KS in R4 was dripping in carefully constructed PR. In a way though, it at least opened up the debate by saying it must be cross party.

What did TW say?

Why am I utterly surprised by Tom Watson? For some reason I'd have thought he'd be on the other side. Good for him for speaking out.

He seemed like one of the sensible grownups in the Labour Party leadership. It's a real shame that he was embroiled in the awful Carl Beech debacle - but his part in that arose from good intentions and concern for victims of abuse.

It is so uplifting to finally have a successful, intelligent, self made woman with huge influence stand up for womans rights.
JK Rowling you are a hero to me.

It wasn’t really an apology though. Well it’s now clear that labour won’t support/protect women. Message received.

I never thought I’d support the Tories but at the minute it seems they’re the only ones giving any consideration at all to women and girls.

Why are the other parties to keen to support a group that consists of less than 0.5% of the population over and above a group that is 51% of the population? Surely politics is a numbers game?

Interesting, though - that he's being asked about it at all. And that it would possibly have been a sacking issue if the little twunt hadn't apologised.

Crumbs of comfort...

Also I noticed on the tweet from the new Shadow Education Secretary, half the first ten responses were asking her to do something about Stonewall and Allsorts.

Now on R4 - what a surprise!

That’s Labour done for then, they’ve handed the Tories an open goal.

He’ll be picking the splinters from his arse all day. Susanna pointed out Keir’s hypocrisy most succinctly.

Keir Starmer on GMB. Not answering the hard questions and it doesn't look like he is going to take any action. He wouldn't even answer about trans woman in women's sport. Very disappointing interview.

Keira Starmer on GMB 7:30am being asked about this. Apparently wrong-daily sacked because didn't apologise, this MP gets to stay as apologised. 🤔

YES tom watson. they are piling in to educate him i see.

Why am I utterly surprised by Tom Watson? For some reason I'd have thought he'd be on the other side. Good for him for speaking out.