The WASPs Still Sting

Although most of them have never done so, Catholics in the English-speaking parts of at least three continents may line up with the parties of the old WASP elite on certain social and cultural issues, as if those parties had ever been any better on those issues.

Likewise, Jews and upper-caste Hindus in the English-speaking parts of at least three continents may line up with the parties of the old WASP elite on certain foreign policy issues, as if the recent reversal of that elite's traditional preference for Arabs and for South Asian Muslims had any guarantee of permanence.

But the case of Cardinal Pell has put Catholics firmly in their place. And the words of Donald Trump, who is not quite an elite WASP but who is closer to them than most, should leave Jews in no doubt as to where they really stood. Never mind the carry on over Greenland. Denmark would refuse entry to anyone else who talked like that. It should do the same in this case.

Although Trump is not wrong on everything. On any foreign policy issue, apply the Clinton Test. If your position is the same as that of Clintons, then it is wrong. Those who think that their plummy voices can mask their perfect ignorance of Hong Kong, think on.

Another hung Parliament is coming, and we need our people to hold the balance of power in it. A new party is now in the process of registration. I will stand for Parliament here at North West Durham even if I can raise only the deposit, which I could do by going pretty overdrawn, although that was not how I was brought up. Buy the book here.

I would still prefer to raise the £10,000 necessary to mount a serious campaign, but I am no longer making my candidacy conditional on having done so. Please email davidaslindsay@hotmail.com. Very many thanks.