Why do politicians constantly bring plagues on their own houses? This week, the Tories have embraced the Jared O’Mara allegations with gusto, prompting Theresa May to speak about it at Prime Minister’s Questions, calling for emergency debates and writing letters about the matter. Some Labourites have been responding by pointing out that it’s highly unlikely the Tories will be entirely clear of sexists themselves. Of course, the Labour point is being deployed as whataboutery to distract from the party’s own nightmare with its Sheffield Hallam MP. But it is also true – and given there is now an appetite in the media for exposing other MPs for similar behaviour, it is a foolhardy tactic for the Tories to have deployed, as it brings a plague on their house too if they are found to have MPs who were kicked off foreign trips for inappropriate behaviour, or whose misogyny was known to the party but not dealt with.
Labour has made the same mistake in the past week, making a tremendous fuss about Tory MP Douglas Ross missing the Opposition Day vote on Universal Credit to referee at a football match in Barcelona.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in