political sectarianism

We are now no longer fellow citizens, we are fellow believers

At the Spectator Once in a while some Socialist Worker people set up a stall outside my local Tesco to shout slogans at the progressive middle class SWPLs who make up much of the local demographic. One of the phrases I’ve heard them use is ‘Refugees welcome! Tories out!’ which is great and everything, except – what if the refugees are Tories? But then there are Sacred Groups and Out Groups, and each has their role to play… Read on

Brexit: The boredom of living through ‘interesting times’

At Spectator Coffee House Robert Tombs, author of the majestic The English and their History, is writing in the latest magazine about how Brexit has become the trigger for a new culture war in Britain. He likens it to the sectarian arguments of the 18th century, pointing out that: ‘When I hear prominent Remainers unquestioningly supporting the demands of the EU Commission, however incoherent and excessive, I cannot but remember the opposition leader Charles James Fox happily admitting… Read on