Tony Blair in The Times today

[oviraptor21]

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/4955e1e4-88d3-11ec-a837-0153f5f4adaf?shareToken=94c076de44190bb4e85a3885618c9f80

I assume he is going to cite the third way again, but Blair comes down firmly on the side of the author JK Rowling. “They [voters] don’t want a situation where women can’t talk about being women. I have this conversation quite often with Labour people and I know their inclination is to walk round this issue, but I am telling you to go right into it and resolve it in a way that makes it absolutely clear where you stand. That is how to shut down the Tories on it.”

Long article but about 4/5 of the way down.

Part of me thinks, "Tony, pet, step away from it, we don't need you ". But the other bit thinks "if this gets people talking about it, then, keep going "

Wow! You tell them Tony. A politician speaking clearly and unequivocally on this issue. Good for him.

being a retired politician is great isn't it? you can finally tell the truth

John Major seems to enjoy it too

This is good:

“Of course, we shouldn’t be transphobic and we should have equal rights for trans people. But equal rights doesn’t mean you can’t use the phrase ‘pregnant woman’. If you went to Sedgefield and had that conservation, they would think you were bonkers.” The younger generation, he admits, think differently. “Leo always says to me, ‘Don’t go there, Dad. There are feelings and there are facts, but right now feelings are more important.’ ”

Leo sounds quite astute, but I'm not sure that's sound advice.

Oh Leo. Feelings are more important...but we've got to be sure they're the right feelings, eh?

Funny how people rarely struggle knowing whose feelings to put first.

Feelings over facts? Bloody hell, this mess can only get worse with that sort of attitude

Blair has never been hot on facts has he , hence going to war in Iraq !

It's unfashionable I know, but I have a lot of time for Tony Blair.

There are feelings and there are facts, but right now feelings are more important.’

Well, that is the crux of the problem, isn't it?!

@DomesticatedZombie

There are feelings and there are facts, but right now feelings are more important.’

Well, that is the crux of the problem, isn't it?!

In a nutshell.

How very well articulated.

Leo's nailed it.

This is about trying to establish that feelings (but only of some people) create reality and not facts.

Which is obviously bollocks and never going to work.

Nor is creating a two tier society where privileged people get to indulge their feelings and demand everyone else services their personal reality or else. And everyone else gets to not have feelings, or anything at all except a duty to provide for their betters.

That isn't going to end in sunshine and rainbows. Adults won't go for this either.

Not to mention that a belief that feelings create reality and not facts is a known characteristic of concern in psychological assessment. Yes at this point the mental health of the UK is bobbins and particularly so amongst teens, but indulging and going with it probably isn't a good answer.

@TheLeadbetterLife

It's unfashionable I know, but I have a lot of time for Tony Blair.

So do I.

I bet Cherie is terven.

@Wonnle

Blair has never been hot on facts has he , hence going to war in Iraq !

To be fair apparently his decision-making was impaired at the time since he was the one to do most nighttime shifts with new baby..

Cherie certainly had a lot to say about how much women suffered during lockdown, WRT domestic violence, coercive control, bullying by employers, working from home and home educating children, being blamed for everything.
I wonder if she is on mumsnet.

I've a lot of time for him too, and Cherie, with the career she's had, well I'd be very surprised if she wasn't Tervan.

It's not the first time he's pointee out that identity politics is damaging Labour, is it?

Of course, they'll just write him off as a "Red Tory" or something.

@Mollyollydolly

I've a lot of time for him too, and Cherie, with the career she's had, well I'd be very surprised if she wasn't Tervan.

Me too!

"I have this conversation quite often with Labour people and I know their inclination is to walk round this issue"

Pathetic.

His political instincts are very good.

I bet Cherie is terven.

I’m sure I’ve seen her express terven views in the past.

But not women's feelings apparently.

I'm a Blair fan, too.

Blair is right both in practical terms and also morally. Gasp. The world 🌎 has gone mad , it's official.

Listening to Blair is like listening to a grown up - as opposed to listening to the Starmers, Daveys and Lammys of the world with their woeful lack of grasp of biology, science and reality alongside their evident contempt for women.