The end of Mermaids? Debating Gender ideology
New from Inside the Lords
This is our last Substack ahead of the Battle of Ideas festival, which kicks off TOMORROW in Westminster. If you haven’t got your tickets, this really is your chance to be part of something exciting. We’ll bring politics, democracy, and freedom to life over the next few days, and I really hope you’ll join us.
Inside the Lords
It has to be said, Westminster feels even more chaotic than usual at the moment. That’s not just because we at Academy of Ideas are all very busy with final preparations for the Battle of Ideas festival - but because of the pervasive sense of political meltdown!
God knows, there is plenty of ammunition right now for the pessimist inside of us all, but I always try and remember that political upheavals and crises throw up unexpected opportunities. In this week’s Inside the Lords, I touch on a few of the crises currently rocking British politics. Watch below or read on (watch to the end for our surprise encounter with a big Jewish protest against the Schools Bill).
Economic crises
Take for example the maelstrom around Liz Truss’ economic policies - which look more and more like a poorly thought-out source of u-turn and indecision. On one level, this does make me want to throw my hands up in despair at the superficial way that our elites continue to grapple with our serious, deep-rooted economic problems. But at the same time, I recognise this is a chance to make the argument for serious economic renewal: everywhere I look people are talking about growth, interest rates, and economic restructuring.
It is also a chance to take on the ideology of environmentalism, which stunts our potential by holding back the energy and growth we need. This is a point I made during my appearance on Politics Live today - which you can watch here. But it is also an issue we’ll be exploring throughout the whole Battle of Ideas festival weekend.
Northern Ireland Protocol
Another big theme in the Lords this week has been the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill. Trust me, sitting through hours of different Lords holding forth about the importance of international law, making barely concealed jabs at Brexit voters, and sneering towards the people of Northern Ireland is enough to make anyone reach for the bottle. But instead, I think we should take these opportunities to remind people why Brexit was so important, and why it is so important that those in Northern Ireland are not treated like some political football. Their concerns must be addressed.
We will be discussing the thorny issue of democracy and the Union, in relation to Scotland and Northern Ireland, at one of our festival debates: “From Indyref 2 to a border boll: who’s afraid of democracy”. See you there.
Mermaids Implodes
Finally, reading the headlines about the degree to which society - especially schools - has become saturated by a trans ideology which permits no dissent is enough to make anyone’s blood boil. But simple anger is never enough, as is time and again demonstrated by the essential work of people like Maya Forstater, Helen Joyce or the LGB Alliance. Their tireless campaigning is starting to show real fruit. Many of you will have followed the meltdown surrounding the charity Mermaids, which ‘supports’ young people questioning their gender.
The Mermaids scandal - for those of you not familiar, you can read the always essential Julie Bindel on part of the scandal here - is not just an oversight of safeguarding. It is symptomatic of a movement that hides away from open debate and brushes aside criticism. Holding powerful interests and organisations to account is the essence of free speech and this is why it is so important.
As if on cue, however, I was shocked to learn that Maya Forstater has been suspended by twitter for drawing attention to some of the more concerning elements of Mermaids. We are delighted to be giving a proper platform to Maya - as well as other gender-critical feminists - at the Battle of Ideas festival! Sessions relating to these themes include:
The ‘trans teen’ trend: A case of social contagion? featuring Helen Joyce
A call to courage: Winning the battle of ideas featuring Julie Bindel
Lawfare: The use and abuse of law to fight for freedom featuring Maya Forstater
Food for thought
Check out this extended interview with Ella Whelan - just before she left us for maternity leave (CONGRATULATIONS ELLA!) - on Your Take. Watch here.
I was on Politics Live today - you can watch here