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“Humiliating and hurtful”: Trans+ people react to Keir Starmer backing sports ban (www.gaytimes.co.uk)

submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Here's the quote:

“I think the important thing is that the sports governing bodies take a lead on this. And they are doing that, and we’re supportive of what they’re doing, particularly in elite sport.

“So, that’s where the decision should be taken. They’ve taken a number of decisions. And, in the end, common sense has to prevail in terms of safety and integrity of sport.”

[–] [email protected] 18 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Like just about every one of Starmer's statements it feels like it has been forensically assembled in a manner best designed not to scare the horses (and as this is an interview with the Torygraph he clearly had a target audience in mind).

He could have said "while it might not reflect my own personal views on the matter, I think it's important for the governing bodies of the sports to make their decisions based on the available science, without political interference" (because you don't want more conservative countries with deep pockets sticking their oar in and trying to dictate the rules) but that would have left him open to a follow-up question along the lines of "so what are your personal views?"

Unfortunately, he's playing it so safe, I don't think anyone is happy with what he says. However, as we are in thus shitshow because a prospective Labour PM ate a bacon sandwich weirdly, I can see why he's working so hard not to present the Tory press with an easy target. Especially as he knows most voters are just going to be voting to get the Tories out.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

That’s the problem with sitting on the fence. The fence sitter thinks they will avoid upsetting either side by taking a side, but ends up leaving them both disappointed by not doing so.

There isn’t always a safe play to make for every issue. It’s a lesson I thought Labour would have learned after failing with their deliberately muddled Brexit messaging.