Tory MP: Have you decided who you will be voting for?
Male voter: I normally vote UKIP, but I was thinking of voting Conservative.
Tory MP: That's what I like to hear.
Male voter: Yes, but I am worried about Mr Cameron cosying up to homosexuals. I might as well admit it, you see I am a bit homopathic...
The MP just about managed to retain a straight (if that's the appropriate word) face.
80 comments:
Come on Iain, you know what we're like in Norfolk.
Yes. Very nice!
Incidentally not so good for Labour
“Gordon Brown out of step as Labour's chance slips away”
What that voter needs is a tiny bit of a homosexual, diluted down 10,000 times, taken as medicine, and he'll be fine.......
NFN
Cloyingly sanctimonious
more worrying is that he's thinking of wasting his vote on the tories
Backs up what I was saying yesterday, that gay-bashing and immigrant-bashing are vote winners for a solid core of Tory voters and members. That is why the Tory party usually works hard to appeal to those two strains at each General Election, just as Michael Howard did last time and the current lot will do this time if they think they are runninc close.
Not that the senior Tory leaders are themselves the slightest bit bothered about either immigration or gay people, but their cynicism is total.
This may not be true of Cameron himself though, who is believed by people who knew him years ago to be very old fashioned indeed when it comes to matters sexual.
Like Blair, he is simply a good actor.
Apparently your local Bishop is going to try to convert you.....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8134797.stm
On the gay issue, the Tories were conspicuous by their absence at the Pride event yesterday.
Although Head of Implementation Nick Bowles and friends were spotted in Trafalgar Square, he was certainly not there in any official capacity.
The Liberal Democrat and Labour presence, by way of contrast, was very visible, both in the parade and on the fringes of the event.
On top of a big Union and public sector presence, this felt very much like a left wing event. So while I take your point about the shift in Tory attitudes on this issue, and the Manchester event is to be welcomed, much more needs to be done on the ground in London and at future events if we are going to change perceptinos on this issue.
Despairing Liberal:
Those of us who you describe as 'old fashioned' I believe have the right approach.
Namely that some things are private, and what is private is no grounds for debate or descrimination.
It s no business of mine what people do, consenting adults, behind closed doors.
If I don't wish to debate the nuances of it publicly, don't read that as some kind of Homophobia.
Also, just because I think economic migration has got out of hand and is placing real strains on certain public services and changing the face of certain neighbourhoods, that doesn't make me racist either.
Despairing Liberal, you really are a prize twat and you don't care how much you embarrass yourself on this blog do you?
So, you delusional dick-head, why don't you get your endlessly tolerent arse up to some of Labour's northern heartlands and ask those salt of the earth core Labour voters of their views on homosexuality or immigration for that matter?
Come back and tell us what they tell you, I know that, in the real world, you won't find the tolerence you like to dream about, from these angels with dirty faces.
The middle-class core Tory support is actually rather more tolerent than Labour's core support, but intolerence is present amogst all social and political groupings. You are too dishonest to admit that.
Everyone knows that the only reason Labour and the left suck-up to minority interest groups is because they don't have enough majority support so have to balance it by ring fencing collections of minority interest groups as "natural" labour support, but in doing so, they alienate the white, Labour voting, working class.
Scott,
That Labour and the Lib-Dems felt it necessary to have an "offical" presence simply re-inforces the fact that they are the ones who are trying to define "gay people" by their sexuality and put them in a box so they can be pandered to on "gay issues".
Gay people get sick, take the tube, work, pay taxes, draw benefits. They should be no different from anybody else in terms of their interaction with the state.
The Conservatives don't care whether you are gay or straight, so they don't need to have an "official" presence at gay events. According to a recent poll, 38% of the people there probably vote Conservative anyway.
Nice try Batterdstrat, but I think you know that isn't what I meant by "old-fashioned" with regard to attitudes to the gays. Cameron is a great one for skillfully hiding his real views.
Interesting what's coming out here - Iain is trying to sell us that the Tories are fundamentally changed and are now the gay-friendly party, yet what we see here is that the Tories don't on the whole want to be associated with public gay rights and that most Tory supporters are still deeply gay-hating.
I do feel sorry for Iain and others who think they can combine right-wing views and their sexual politics, since in many ways the two remain fundamentally incompatible. Must be a constant strain. You would have a much better life in the LibDems Iain - plus you would probably get a stab at a constituency if you switched loudly and publicly!
And you would get to leave all these fellow-travelling headbangers who inhabit your blog behind, which I know you would see as no bad thing.
Scott @ 12.47
Richard Barnes, Tory Deputy Mayor of London and openly gay for many many years, made a speech.
I'm no Tory, think the record of the Parliamentary Conservative Party is utterly appalling on gay equality issues, and do not trust Cameron much. BUT, it's not fair to say they were absent yesterday.
'And you would get to leave all these fellow-travelling headbangers who inhabit your blog behind.'
DL, with all due respect, you appear to be the one who inhabits the behind of this blog.
Anonymous,
The Tories can choose to stay away from future events in order to make some larger philosophical point about their rejection of identity politics if they wish, that of course, is their right.
On the ground, all it does is leave them looking disinterested, arrogant and aloof, not part of the conversation and vulnerable to the sort of framing of issues around homosexuality and gay rights that plays very much to their opponents' advantage.
At events like these, where it matters, where real politics is done and real votes won, it is Labour and the Lib Dems that are making the argument, actively engaging with the community, and supporting campaigns around sexual health, equality, discrimination and gay rights.
That is something the Tories need to address.
Am reminded of the episode of the BBC TV series, Absolutely Fabulous where the mother asked for some of her daughters homophobic remedies.
"On the gay issue, the Tories were conspicuous by their absence at the Pride event yesterday."
Good for the Tories, then.
"Cameron is a great one for skillfully hiding his real views."
So are most Conservatives )present company excepted of course!). Cameron just wants power, he doesn't care who he has to appease or make allies with for that to happen. That's why the Tories have lost so much of their traditional ground. They have no ideology other than a quest for power anymore.
http://theantipolitician.wordpress.com
Mr Sambo - spot on.
I loathe identity politics.
Labour are constantly harping on about the labels they give out - it's just another form of control.
I don't want to be defined as female and therefore the victim of some sort of glass ceiling/kitchen sink conspiracy.
I just want to be me actually, and don't need permission from someone else or their endorsement to exist.
Very Norfolk. NFN
DespairingLiberal said...
That is why the Tory party usually works hard to appeal to those two strains at each General Election, just as Michael Howard did last time and the current lot will do this time if they think they are runninc close.
Why are you attacking Michael Howard, are you being 'anti-semitic'? All you seem to want to do is smear and paint people into a corner. Grow up.
Jim Baxter, just check out "Little Black Sambo" (overtly racist name and comments) and Plato (long history of racism on this blog) further down if you want premium examples of Iain's fellow-travelling headbangers.
Sadly though I suspect they are not BNP/UKIP but actually core Tories.
Vince Cable was really lame and off-key again on Adam Boulton today.
The old boy is really showing his age, does he have some sort of private problem ? He looks depressed.
Despairing Liberal, you have evidently been deprived of good literature in childhood. I am named after one of my heroes, the tales of whose exploits have not a whiff of "racism" in them.
You may be despairing - ideed, I hope you are - but you are certainly not liberal. Go and boil your politically correct head.
These average male voters - they don't like it up 'em, Captain Mainwaring!
Why can political discourse in the UK not be conducted in a civil manner attacking policies rather than personalities?
Little Black Sambo you suggest Despairing Liberal should go and boil his head. How does that move the debate forwards?
'Go and boil your politically correct head' Is Little Black Sambo Sean T(homas) in disguise?
Minge
Despairing Liberal said "most Tory supporters are still deeply gay-hating".
And your support for such a generalisation is what exactly? The odd comment from the odd "Tory supporter" presumably. Well, I might as well accuse all Liberal Democrat supporters of being pathetic, over-sexed morons, on the basis that it's fair to consider Mark Oaten and Lembit Opik as representative of the party. But then I'm not sufficiently stupid or juvenile to do so.
With your dog-whistle accusations and constant smearing of Tory supporters, you'd clearly be far happier in Stalinist New Labour than the "Liberal" party you profess to support. Grow up and then try posting some serious and/or intelligent comments for a cghange.
I think my favourite canvassing experience in the European Elections was the rather fit young man clad in nothing but a small bath towel!
lol at UKIP voter - they have an openly Lesbian MEP now! Should have shoved that fact in his face!
@ The Englishmen
"So are most Conservatives".
A profoundly sweeping generalisation. Where's your evidence - or is this just your subjective view?
@ Keith Elliott
Why is it necessary for any comment here to 'move the debate forward'? And exactly what does that phrase actually mean?
'Political discourse'? This is a blog, for God's sake. People commenting here are not obliged to work within your definitions, are they?
As to your question - why not ask the politicians - they set the tone.
Old Holborn - you are telling a blatant lie about Peter Tatchell. He has said no such thing. He says that there should be no prosecutions against minors where the age difference is less than 3 years, which is a lot different to your implication.
I have passed details on of this libellous posting by you (and Iain Dale permitting it) to Peter, who I know is highly litigious. With luck, he will write to Google demanding your IP number and ISP, after which you will with luck and a following wind end up in court regretting every word you said here, along with the publisher who allowed it to be posted.
Despairing Liberal. In case it has escaped your notice I have not been on the blog today. I have just seen OH's comment and deleted it. Peter Tatchell is a friend of mine and it was a disgraceful slur on him.
You clearly have a real hate problem with me. Why do you spend so much time on this blog? It is a constant source of bemusement to me, especially as most of the stuff you contribute is almost as hateful as that which OH writes.
Despairing Liberal
Do grow up. "I have passed on..." etc. How amazingly cretinous.
Now sue me - you lying prat. I'm still waiting for your writ from all those months ago....
At least the voter in question was being honest - something the Tory MP probably couldn't do if his/her life depended on it.
Christ alive, why do we any of us even bother conversing with Despairing Liberal (or OH for that matter)?
It's clear to me DL spends so much time here posting crap about Iain and the rest of us. The response we give him provide sparks of recognition he needs to maintain his sense of importance and righteousness.
Don't feed the trolls, and, once they've given up threatening legal action, they'll piss off to some other blog.
Anonymous said "Minge."
This is the most reasoned and sensible comment in this entire thread.
I never understood what 'cumming' out of the closet meant anyway. Does it mean your in or you're out?
"Minge"
Lol.
Cheered me up...
Mr DespairingLiberal - and your evidence of my 'long history of racism on this blog' is?
Do try harder.
You are Derek Draper and I claim my £5.
homopathic - can you get that on the NHS?
What is it about Lefties constantly wanting to sue everyone?
Spot on!
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/sos-news-columnists/Jim-Sillars-Let39s-hear-the.5430050.jp
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/cabinet-expenses/5750511/MPs-expenses-Civil-servant-sacked-for-calling-Hazel-Blears-a-disgrace-in-anonymous-internet-post.html
MPs' expenses: Civil servant sacked for calling Hazel Blears a 'disgrace' in anonymous internet post.
Maybe Hazel should condemn it?
I believe that what was actually meant by the voter is largely true. Cameron should keep his mouth shut on the subject as I believe that ninety-something percent of the population are fed up with the constant "I'm more gay-friendly than you" and he is likely to loose as many, if not more votes than he gains from the gay population. Certainly he's lost my daughter's vote, not because she's homophobic, but just fed up with the constant emphasis on this subject when there are many far more important issues. She tells me that if she does now vote, she'll now vote UKIP on the basis that they are the only party that has a firm policy on the EU.
Dear Mrs Plato,
Accusing Derek Draper of being the DespicableLiberal is a step too far. What has poor Derek done to deserve such appalling treatment?
I think you might wish to reappraise your position on this matter with a view to withdrawing this outrageous slur on Mr Draper's reputation - he may be an utter slimeball, but even so he is still head and shoulders above the likes of DespicableLiberal.
Love and kisses,
Your adoring fan.
XXX
Unsworth, thank you so much for making my point for me so much better than I ever could!
Patronising, Iain. Whilst I disagree with his views, there's no need to look down upon those less literary obsessed than yourself.
What a pathetic post! It is so boring. Iain I thought more of you.
What a pointless story. Shit if you ask me.
I would rather smear shit all over my face.
Iain your post is rather patronising to say the least.
@ Johnny Norfolk said...
"Very Norfolk. NFN"
Coming from and educated in Norfolk gaining a Bachelor of Honours degree in Politics I find it very patronising to say the least.
Iain my dog shits better stuff than this. Grow up you pratt.
Shit if you ask me... I don't even come from Norfolk and I find it crap.
I'm not coming back here again.
Iain you clearly do not understand politics as if you would you wouldn't post such tasteless content.
I find this post one of the lowest forms of humour and I am also from Norfolk.
I am offended by this....!
"I'm not coming back here again."
Too f***ing right there.
Every comment since 10.18 has been written by the same idiot.
@ bugsmalone.
"Come on Iain, you know what we're like in Norfolk".
So what are we like? Tell me because I come from Norfolk and would love to know.
@ Iain Dale said...
Every comment since 10.18 has been written by the same idiot."
I hope you are excluding me in that as I always leave a name and not remain anonymous.
All this crap about identity politics - why has no-one picked up on the most glaring aspect of this anecdote? It's complete unlikeliness.
If this conversation genuinely happened on the doorstep, then I'm a Dutchman.
I strongly suspect it's a planted anecdote to get across the message the Cameron is being gay-friendly.
Steve, I assure you it did happen. I got it direct from the MP concerned (who is by no means a Cameroon).
Iain Dale said "Every comment since 10.18 has been written by the same idiot."
Looks like a comment on another thread consisting solely of the word "minge" was the most intelligent thing written here all of Sunday now...
This post is so boring.
The Tory MP in question should be reminded that losing votes is no laughing matter. The voter did not (as far as I know) question that gay people should have equal rights and equal protection under the law, and that is as far as politicians should go. Making fools of themselves at Gay Pride events does not benefit anyone.
We need Conservative politicians to keep their eye on the ball - it's the economy, stupid, - followed by law and order and protecting the country's interests in Europe.
I find this humour slightly homophobic if you ask me.
Iain grow up! You bore me to tears posting infantile stories on your blog. Why don't you write about the economy for a change or are you not able to understand complex issues such as that?
This is in really bad taste.
We would vote Tory but we can't because we're homophones.
This is in such poor taste. Iain I cannot believe you would post something like this. I just think its damn right homophobic and you should be ashamed of yourself... as a gay man and someone who should know better. I think you should REMOVE this post.
First you were an apologist for racism and now you have become an apologist for homophobia. I cannot believe you.
I wonder if any other reputable media would publish this tasteless story. I should think not.
REMOVE THIS POST.
I wonder if any other reputable media would publish this tasteless story. I should think not.
REMOVE THIS POST.
July 06, 2009 2:02 PM
your joking....right?
Here in Deal, Kent, as part of the Summer Music Festival, over the weekend last, we had the Black Dyke Band performing.
Thus we managed to celebrate two minorities in one concert.
Captain Scarlett said "First you were an apologist for racism and now you have become an apologist for homophobia."
At least have the decency to use your real name if you're going to say such stupid things, Dolly.
This post is very patronising.
Christ, some of the pro gay commenters here are so far up themselves i doubt they would have either the time nor space to be gay!
Iain, you've dropped a serious bollock with this one mate. The real story should be "How has British politics fallen to the point where parties need to publicly fight over minority votes"
What about the rest of us, the heterosexual majority? Or don't we matter anymore???
Iain this post offends me deeply.
Do you think everyone in Norfolk is thick? What are you trying to convey?
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