Ann Widdecombe on the trans debate

[RoyalCorgi]

It's short, but to the point:

www.express.co.uk/comment/columnists/ann-widdecombe/1303420/transgender-debate-JK-Rowling

I don't quite get the Neil Oliver thing Defenestratethecat. As far as I can see, Darren Grimes tweeted on 29 June that he would be interviewing Starkey to which Oliver made an approving response. The interview went up on youtube on 30 June, and now, several days later Oliver is facing a raging cancellation storm for the contents of the interview (Starkey's vile racist comments) that neither he nor anyone else knew about (at the relevant time).

Did Oliver do anything else to cause the storm?

cant bear Widdecombe - never could - she's right on this though.

I assume they're gunning for Neil Oliver because he also publicly supported JKR

Short but quite a lot of content. Her last line 'Will I ever be published again?' highlighting everyone is a potential target hopefully gives some food for thought.

@EwwSprouts

Short but quite a lot of content. Her last line 'Will I ever be published again?' highlighting everyone is a potential target hopefully gives some food for thought.

Yes. I like the zero BS for Year Zero BS.

I was never a fan of Widdecome as such. Many of her beliefs stem from deeply held religious beliefs which I don't share.

She is however a smart, intelligent woman and you only have to read her Hansard record as part of the GRA Bill debates to see that.

She admits she would have opposed it come what may (religious beliefs) but she was also asking all the right questions at the time when other MPs were too caught up in emotive thinking along the lines of 'these poor people trapped in the wrong body - we must do this to be nice'.

The concerns raised by Widdecome, Tebbit and other opponents at the time have now come to pass plus numerous other dreadful consequences that even they couldn't have envisioned back then

All the warnings signs that this was a terrible bill are right there in the debate records.

I wouldn't have expected anything less from Ann Widdecombe. Love her or hate her she speaks as she finds. I absolutely agree with her.

No , he is unpopular for other reasons. Chiefly his strong pro - unionist interpretation of Scottish history and various snarky opinions about the SNP. As for Widdicombe , this is literally the first thing I've ever agreed with her about .Her support is a bit of a mixed blessing really.

Yes Kit19 I thought it would be that, and also the fact that Neil Oliver is not a supporter of Scottish Independence.

It reminded me of what we've seen in the Damian Barr business. How many of these witch hunts are not about the purported reason but are in fact a way of attacking over a difference grievance.

Cross-posted with Abhannmor.

but she was also asking all the right questions at the time when other MPs were too caught up in emotive thinking along the lines of 'these poor people trapped in the wrong body - we must do this to be nice'.The concerns raised by Widdecome, Tebbit and other opponents at the time have now come to pass plus numerous other dreadful consequences that even they couldn't have envisioned back then

That is absolutely true. I think it was TimeLady who posted the Hansard link. Norman Tebbit, Ann Widdecombe could see compelled speech on the
horizon. It's shocking how right they were. Their questions were prescient. And I admire both for having the integrity and intelligence to ask them.

Great respect for you Anne!!

I don't understand the "you must be someone I agree with 100% for me to listen to a thing you say" stance that's currently modern society's way. I really don't. I don't agree with anyone 100%, ever. I rarely agree with myself 100%, and sometimes find myself dithering and flopping around from one viewpoint to another, depending on what I'm reading or who I'm speaking to. I guess I thought I was learning and developing, over time. Perhaps I'm just a flibbertigibbet.

I'm all for outspokenness. I'd rather know what people actually thought than have it censored, thank you.

I've often wondered whether Anne Widdecombe is on AIBU. It's the perfect place for her.

And, funnily enough, I would say that that a lot of women who argued that pregnant women should be treated with dignity then are the same people arguing that men shouldn't be in women's prisons now

It's almost as though I have been putting women first the whole time.

Love this.

I think Neil Oliver had shown support for JKR and seems to have a GC stance so he was probably already in the cross hairs of the wokesters...

Yes I thought that too.

I've been watching a lot of the Triggernometry interviews during lockdown and the one I've found the most fascinating to the point I took notes!? was David Starkey on "Where Woke Culture Comes From".

He seems to have a real dislike and disrespect for women and was already known for having some pretty repellent views even before his latest outburst. Having said that I would imagine he'd "score points" with the woke for being gay and born with a potentially disabling condition.

Do I now have to change my opinion of what he said in that video in light of his misogyny and racism? Should all his books and tv series be banned? Am I personally tainted now because I enjoyed and learned things from that video?

Fuck'sake agreeing with Ann Widdecombe now. Can't stand much more of this...

I’m not her hugest fan but I’m delighted she’s spoken out. I wrote to her months ago asking her about the original act and she never replied. I’m hoping she’s in Baroness Nicholson’s sphere.

Being on Big Brother with India Willoughby put her at the sharp end of this - she's experienced something usually reserved for more vulnerable women in prisons/shelters.

Interesting perhaps that having experienced this, her opinions didn't soften, as we are told so often they would.

even a broken clock is right twice a day. No fan of Widdicome or the express, but shes right on this.

Agreeing with someone about one thing equals lionising. Yeah, whatever.

I've liked Anne since she was on Strictly. Liked her even more on CBB, which I only watched because YOTW, IW and the drag queen.

I don't agree with a lot of her opinions but she isn't malicious or spiteful, and she's very straightforward.

People who know her in person, like her. Regardless of their sexuality.

Finding ourselves agreeing with various right-wing people on the GC issue seems unfortunate, especially because it fuels the fire of TRAs who gaslight that GC views are just traditional anti-LBGT bigotry and hate (despite the fact that such traditional bigots don't tend to be lefty feminists and lesbians...)

However I have made my peace with it - because as I've got older I've realised that - while remaining left-wing in my political views - there tends to be a lot more space for debate, intelligent discussion, reason and respectful argument, beyond left-wing circles (and obviously especially the ultra-woke purity spiral crowd).

I have switched from the Guardian to often reading the Times, FT, and even the Telegraph - oh the shame. Not because I agree with their politics, but because they're more interesting, varied and honest and you are more likely to get a range of views (including left-wing views) with well-argued points, not just "points" made by shouting down others and using shaming and bullying.

(Not talking about far right extremists of course, but right of centre media.)

I know that makes me cancellable for some, but it's like a breath of fresh air reading a variety of different stuff that's actually reasoned and not just knee-jerk right-on.

@TheTamingOfTheresa

First Piers Morgan now this. I am agreeing with the weirdest people these days

Same!

@testing987654321

And, funnily enough, I would say that that a lot of women who argued that pregnant women should be treated with dignity then are the same people arguing that men shouldn't be in women's prisons now.

It's almost as though I have been putting women first the whole time.

That made me chuckle.