"We must not fetishise debate"

Very true Chatty. And MPs with solid feminist/progressive credentials are staying silent.

I'm 8 years older than her and when I was at school there was already a creeping sense of this with the younger teachers- that there were proper views to have, correct newspapers to read etc. Then it was mostly stamped down by older teachers who talked about the importance of understanding your opposition to debate AND find compromise. Has that side just been lost as older teachers retired? I get the impression now that certain MPs consider compromise as something dirty to be avoided rather than the way to achieve goals that work for the vast majority.

Michelle I agree with you but intelligent people can sell out for their own self-interest just as much as the thick ones do, whether under duress or for personal advantage, so it’s not always easy to tell them apart

This has be someone who has infiltrated labour in a bid to make them unelectable. Right? Right?!

what can they really bring to that role at that age apart from ideals and an unwillingness to listen and debate

Unfortunately, an inability/refusal to debate or even acknowledge that they have one political view, not the only political view appears to be an 'ideal' they have been taught. Or as Douglas Murray puts it, educated into stupidity

I think Starmer will be able to shift things, he has made some positive steps, but it's a long road for labour, he has endless lost ground to pull back.

The evidence of the ability to think critically, to process additional or different information (which is being given to her in droves on her twitter threads with links), to see the bigger picture and anticipate the bleeding obvious issues, or to have awareness of professional responsibilities and one's own job description is a pretty good indication of intelligence.

There are many MP’s in the HOC who are not overly gifted, some rarely speak in debates or do much beyond trotting through the lobby when instructed. She is an activist and seemingly committed to raising issues and speaking in the House, I hope she is an effective constituency MP.

I think her use of language and understanding of the implications of what she’s saying are either dangerous or foolish but I’m not sure which it is.

I don’t know if she’s intelligent or not tbf- I can’t say anything about that solely on the basis of anyone holding genderist views. As much as i disagree with the views.
Does mean that those people are supporting a sexist, homophobic and anti-scientific authoritarian political lobby position though.

I agree. It’s not just because of her age- lots of older adults would agree with her on this issue. Unfortunately.
But in general being an effective MP requires excellent personal boundaries and good self awareness as well as having reached full mental maturity. Age and life experience is needed to develop these things.

Not her fault though. Local selection committee and Labour central office should have kiboshed this at the start.

I'll say it - someone who is 24 with no real work - or life - experience, should not be an MP. Here the issue is compounded by sheer stupidity, but I'd apply it even to someone very intelligent.

it's astonishing and a grim indictment of both modern politicos and the education which has produced someone proud of her contempt for debate

Quite - and surely it will only worse when people with these approaches to a diversity of views (that type of diversity is the wrong type) are going into schools, producing the guidelines for schools and then the kids who were in the schools grow up and start to run things themselves.

Just out of curiosity, how does anyone see a route out of this woke madness with Labour?

Slow and painfully. Initially rolling back the extremes, medicalisation of children and sports like rugby. Then we might end up having an actual opportunity for discussion.

I am still optimistic that sense will win out eventually.

Sorry, posted too soon, was supposed to quote Ginger. Agree with your post, it's astonishing and a grim indictment of both modern politicos and the education which has produced someone proud of her contempt for debate

How is an MP, who is unable to debate a topic and listen to concerns from constituents, capable of drafting and making laws which affect every member of society?

If you are not able to discuss a topic, listen to and hear different views, defend your position and open yourself up to possibly changing your mind about a subject, then you are not fit to govern.

How is an MP, who is unable to debate a topic and listen to concerns from constituents, capable of drafting and making laws which affect every member of society?

This moron is one of the reasons why the Conservatives will keep winning.

She started talking about women not being able to buy houses until the 70s.

Was she talking about access to credit?

In the 70's the banks would have argued that they were being prudent because women just give up work as soon as they get married and have babies.

Ironically the legislation she proposes makes this discrimination possible again, because if 'woman' is just an identity, there is no law that protects people whose appearance suggests that they produce large gametes.

Even if she is just well meaning but naive, she hasn't demonstrated that she has thought this through, which is why debate is a necessary part of the legislative process.

I reckon we're looking at at least 15/20 years........

Just out of curiosity, how does anyone see a route out of this woke madness with Labour?

Oh, if only it were just Labour. Its infected everywhere - businesses/ institutions. I think the answer is No. Just in terms of politics, there is no party speaking out against anti-debate madness/ silence all opponents madness. But all of them should. Every party should be.

I've lost respect for all of them.

Just out of curiosity, how does anyone see a route out of this woke madness with Labour? How long will it be before they are electable again?

Does Starmer have either the skills or the desire to change the party?

There seems to be a kind of fetish being made of youth these days. As if it is young people who hold the keys. And many older people are applauding and supporting that. Greta Thunberg, for example.......and Mhairi Black when she was first elected.

Lack of independent thought in such cases with these very young momentum people would seem to be seen as a key quality rather than a barrier.