Cheers and Jeers #8

Here's my latest news roundup, in which I cheer or jeer the week's events.


Cheers for Zuzana Čaputová, the anti-corruption activist who has been elected the first female president of Slovakia. She also happens to be liberal and pro-EU – so much for the narrative that Europe is turning rightwards.

Cheers for the Victoria & Albert Museum in Dundee, which has welcomed half a million visitors since opening in September last year – far more than it had expected.  

Jeers for the breathtaking hypocrisy behind Boris Johnson’s cynical support for the Prime Minister’s Withdrawal Agreement. Fortunately, Boris has overreached himself in his self-aggrandising manoeuvrings, and looks to have actually damaged his chances of succeeding Theresa May.

Jeers for the Beaconsfield Conservative Association for its no-confidence vote in Dominic Grieve. I’ve often had my issues with Mr Grieve but, when fewer than 200 party members have the power to effectively deselect a parliamentarian for grappling with constitutional complexities and advocating democratic routes out of a stalemate, it’s a sad day for representative democracy.

Jeers for the Prime Minister, for her pitiful attempts to force through her Withdrawal Agreement. “Back me and I’ll resign” was a rather strange tactic, but this PM is so inept she wasn’t even able to quit in a competent fashion.

Jeers to the BBC Question Time for asking “is it morally right for children to learn about LGBT issues in school?” Playing into the hands of those who seek to misrepresent inclusive education, the BBC made no attempt to explain what those “LGBT issues” are – such as the need to treat LGBT people with the same dignity and respect as anyone else...or understanding some kids have two mums, or two dads. Accepting that love happens between people of the same sex as well as opposite sexes. It's basic stuff. To question the morality of inclusion undermines so much of the positive work that has been – and continues to be – done.

Tears for the LGBT community in Brunei, following the decision to make sex between same-sex couples punishable by death. Draconian laws such as this have no place in the modern world.

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