Where are the heirs and successors of the Labour MPs who defended Catholic schools, and thus all church-based state schools, over several successive decades? Of the early Labour activists who resisted schemes to abort, contracept and sterilise the working class out of existence? Of the Catholic and other Labour MPs, including John Smith, who fought tooth and nail against abortion and easier divorce, not least including both Thatcher’s introduction of abortion up to birth and Major’s introduction of divorce legally easier than release from a car hire contract?
Where are the heirs and successors of the Methodist and other Labour MPs, including John Smith, who fought tooth and nail against deregulated drinking and gambling? Of those, including John Smith, who successfully organised (especially through USDAW) against Thatcher’s and Major’s attempts to destroy the special character of Sunday and of Christmas Day, delivering the only Commons defeat of Thatcher’s Premiership? Of the trade unions’ numerous battles to secure paternal authority in families and communities by securing its economic base in high-waged, high-skilled, high-status male employment? Of the trade union banners depicting Biblical scenes and characters?
Not on the Tory or Lib Dem benches, either. Don’t vote for any of them. Make alternative arrangements.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Don't you read the comments posted on your blog? The Equalities Bill supported by all three parties is harmless. No ban on the all-male priesthood, no ban on the traditional definition of marriage, nothing to worry about, nothing to see here.
ReplyDeleteI love all the fuss about the Pope's speech. What did they expect him to say?
I know, "Pope Is Catholic Shock".
ReplyDeleteAnd he certainly hasn't noticed that the Equalities Bill is harmless.
From Comment Is Free to Harry's Place, cheap and lazy writers who thought that they could play to the gallery are finding in the comments that even those sites' readers think the Pope has a point on this one.
ReplyDeleteOh, I know, and as for the rest: Hitler Youth, covered up child abuse - have they any idea how tired and stale they now sound?
ReplyDeleteThere was a running joke in Father Ted about the eponymous character's having fathered a baby. That was the thing in the Nineties. But if you showed it to a teenage or early twentysomething audience now, would they get the joke at all, never mind realise why it was funny at the time?
These things date. Very rapidly.
Whereas Holy Mother Church is Ever Ancient, Ever New.
I'm an atheist (albeit a very respectful one with a Catholic wife) but reading most of the comments on CiF almost made me feel like converting.
ReplyDeleteThere are legitimate criticisms to be made of the Pope but the snotty, sneering, jeering 'liberals' still revert to the old Nazi chestnut, and the bizarre view that being pro-life is a sign of right-wing fanaticism.
Is there no room anymore in public debate for nuance and eloquence?