Why Are Tories Waging A New Round Of Culture Wars?
The Independent|October 04, 2023
Sometimes it is extraordinarily easy to spot a political party's tactics, and the Conservatives' reliance on "wedge" issues is becoming a little embarrassing.
SEAN O'GRADY
Why Are Tories Waging A New Round Of Culture Wars?

For one thing, it smacks of insecurity. Banging on about small boats and trans rights sends out a signal that they've given up winning the argument on the bigger issues – the economy, the cost of living crisis, transport (including HS2), the NHS, schools and housing.

Instead of wanting to talk about nurses’ pay or cutting waiting lists (where one of Rishi Sunak’s promises already looks lost), Steve Barclay, the health secretary, wants to stoke up an argument about “sex-specific” language and trans patients on hospital wards. It is the sort of “culture wars” issue that invigorates party conference activists, but not the wider public.

How many fronts have been opened up in the ‘culture wars’?

About one or two every day so far this week, on top of various other recent skirmishes. It is as if Conservative central office has ordered every minister making a speech to launch some sort of socially-conservative assault. Thus, on the same day we have Mr Barclay talking about “sex-specific language” and trans patients on hospital wards, closely followed by home secretary Suella Braverman announcing changes in the rules on trans prisoners.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 04, 2023 من The Independent.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 04, 2023 من The Independent.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

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