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  1. Politics
4 March 2010

Political correctness: a defence

Watch Mehdi Hasan put the case for political correctness against Ann Widdecombe.

By George Eaton

If you’ve got a spare moment, I’d really recommend watching this debate on political correctness at the Cambridge Union.

Our own Mehdi Hasan, the Times’s David Aaronovitch and English PEN’s Robert Sharp argue for the motion that “Political correctness is sane and necessary” against a triumvirate of right-wingers including Ann Widdecombe.

What’s most satisfying about the debate is that, contrary to the right’s depiction of liberals as po-faced and humourless, it’s the proposition that turns out to have the better arguments and the better jokes.

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Watch this and never be left grappling for a reply against a reactionary Mail reader again.

PS: I should add that the proposition, of course, carried the motion by 221 votes to 177.

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Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
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