Wednesday’s Gabby Logan Programme
I’ve been feeling a bit uncomfortable with myself over the last couple of days.
It’s to do with Wednesday’s Gabby Logan programme on which I was a guest. It was a good-natured show, and for the most part I really enjoyed it. However, when the topic changed to Peter Mandelson’s memoirs, fellow guest and Spectator editor Fraser Nelson referred to the former Business Secretary as ‘Mandy’.
It is well-known that Peter Mandelson is gay. Calling him ‘Mandy’ is a homophobic put-down in the oldest tradition. It’s like calling him a Sissy, or a Jessie. The implication is that, because he is a homosexual, he is not a man.
It is disgraceful, but not surprising, that the editor of a major national magazine should stoop to these kinds of anti-gay slurs. But to my discredit, I didn’t jump in and put him straight.
I’d like to apologise to anyone who feels let down by that.
Fair comment and worth challenging in future, but totally indicative of the way the media have taken to reporting politics as a soap opera rather than a democratic process. qv the whole Mandelson V Blair fight over who dislikes Gordon Brown the most (as portrayed in the coverage of their books).
It’s not helped by business in the House of Commons being conducted in a rather puerile manner.
Take the tendency of recent Prime Ministers to use their PMQT as an opportunity to slag off (sic) the opposition rather than answer questions.
Incidentally Harriet Harman handled the prevaricating PM very well earlier this week. Why aren’t they able to cite which targets have been successful and clinically useful, and therefore worth keeping?
The data is there.
To answer my own question, because they’d rather use the opportunity to criticise what has gone before, distracting attention from various plans they’d like steamrollered through in the name of “savings”.
Oh and I meant to add that it’s not helped by Mr Mandelson’s television advert for his book’s serialisation.
Good call Dave. You’ll get him next time. Nick
It’s never occurred to me that ‘Mandy’ is a homophobic.. it’s just a natural shortening of his name. If his name were ‘Randleson’ he’d be known as Randy, simple as that. You’re being way too cynical…