On Political Tribalism

Adam Tinworth
Adam Tinworth

Stephen Fry just articulated with astonishing clarity and wit exactly what I was trying to say last week .

Choice quotes:
> For a Labour voter to hate a Tory voter or vice versa is for us all to stumble into the revolting and nonsensical little-endian big-endian madness that Swift pilloried in [Gulliver’s Travels](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulliver%27s_Travels "Gulliver's Travels").
> However one thing has remained constant in my political affiliations, and that is a deep contempt and fear of tribalism. When I meet a Labour voter who can only hiss, stamp and fume at any Tory, or a Conservative voter who can only jeer and condemn a Labour voter then I bridle, bristle and simply writhe with indignation. Let this be known and celebrated: we all have the right to vote the way we want. We all have our reasons and motivations and they do not justify anyone insulting or reviling us.

Marvellous.

 
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Adam is a lecturer, trainer and writer. He's been a blogger for over 20 years, and a journalist for more than 30. He lectures on audience strategy and engagement at City, University of London.

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