The psychology of political conformity
Philately, 2 Tone and the Queen's silver jubilee
Boris Johnson's Pandemic Communication
Boris Johnson's use of plain language during the Covid pandemic, he claimed this week, was to encourage open dialogue in complex discussions, even if it risked appearing insensitive. This strategy, though debatable, highlights the issue of political groupthink.
The Solomon Asch Experiments
The Solomon Asch conformity experiments demonstrate this phenomenon, where individuals conform to majority opinions, even against their senses. This is particularly relevant in politically charged settings like the British left, where members often mirror leadership views without critical scrutiny.
Echoes of Bolshevik Thinking in Modern Politics
This tendency is the legacy of Bolshevik thinking, that of the elite leadership who operate in secret, in profoundly undemocratic conditions. It was no surprise to me many of the people close to Jeremy Corbyn were former members of the Communist Party.
To paraphrase the late Henry Kissinger, these fluent former communists were exceptionally skilful in playing to the inexhaustible masochism of the bien pensant, who took it as an article of faith that to challenge Corbynism was either stupid or intransigent. They were endlessly ingenious at explaining how a legitimate challenge was frustrating our future socialist utopia led by the gentle-natured Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell and Diane Abbott, who were being driven reluctantly into silencing their disloyal opponents.
The Role of Dissent in Healthy Political Discourse
Asch's findings also revealed the impact of a dissenting voice in breaking conformity, emphasising the value of dissent in political discussions for better decision-making and policy development.
Consequences of Silence: The Response to the October 7th Hamas Attacks
The response, or lack thereof, from women's rights groups to the October 7th Hamas attacks serves as another instance of group conformity impacting critical judgment. Despite the severity of these allegations, some groups were notably silent or slow to condemn the actions of Hamas fighters - a form of conformity to the broader political stance of these groups, where speaking out against such incidents might conflict with their established political position.
When Hamas deploys rape as a tactic of war, it’s genuinely shocking to me to see very prominent campaigners against violence against women in the Labour movement remain silent.
The Corbyn Era: A Case Study in Political Groupthink
Closer to home, during Jeremy Corbyn's leadership of the Labour Party I observed his discomfort only when his faction was divided. This was usually when Karie Murphy and Seamus Milne were in disagreement with John McDonnell. McDonnell, surprisingly more pragmatic than you’d think, would often sit at shadow cabinet in silent despair as Jeremy would read from his brief.
Meetings within meetings were a common phenomenon during this period of Labour history. They represented a deeper level of decision-making and strategy formulation, which occurred beyond the view of party members and even the shadow cabinet and National Executive Committee. Yet when only the yes people were in the room, they missed the country's mood in spectacular fashion.
Critical Thinking as a Counter to Groupthink
The groupthink fostered by Jeremy's faction led to some bleakly comic outcomes, like holding meetings of the Shadow Cabinet Brexit Sub-committee in secret or trying to move a rule change under Any Other Business to abolish the post of Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, with predictably disastrous consequences!
These instances highlight the importance of critical thinking and the willingness to dissent within political or ideological groups. Upholding truth, justice equality and security beyond political affiliations is crucial for decisions that are good for a country.
The NHS in One Graph
I saw this and thought that this should go on every Labour leaflet in the run up to the general election. You can’t hide from data!
The things you can’t declutter
I’ve spoken before about the emotional attachment to physical things. I’ve objects that are physical memory boxes. This little badge below for example. I’ll never wear it. It’s always in a box. It ocassionally comes out when I move.
So why can I not rid myself of it? Well, it opens a volcano of neurons that hold hundreds of memories. It’s a transmission belt to the past. Throwing it away is like I’m betraying Padge, Thorpey, Maresy, Ashlee, Hughsy, Buxton, Whart, Smithy and Dark Menace, all pals from Sladen Middle school, Kidderminster.
Do you have items like this in your home?
Reading
I’ve been reminiscing about Terry Hall this month, with the first anniversary of his death just around the corner. I miss him. 'Too Much Too Young' is a detailed account of the record label that sparked a movement, but the best Terry Hall tale? That was a gem from Horace Panter, the bass player of The Specials.
Picture this: The Specials are on the cusp of stardom, and the band members decide it's time to get serious. They confront Terry with an ultimatum – it's the band or the day job. Terry, who was moonlighting in a stamp shop (of all places!), strolls into rehearsal to share his decision. With a straight face, he declares, 'I’ve decided philately will get you nowhere, I’m in.'
It's the kind of off-the-cuff remark that just sticks with you, a classic Terry move – turning a crossroads moment into a punchline and later in his career, brilliant lyrics. First class Terry, First class.
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Tom- “Boris Johnson’s use of plain language… he claimed this week, …” and I hoped you’d go on as the only person I’ve read mention the fact that in his witness statement ( sworn on oath to the court” he also claimed that the CMO and the CSA were “ properly informed “ prior to Sunak’s Eat out 2 Help Out” caper. When Hugo Keith compared this claim with other witnesses’ statements to the contrary, Johnson claimed that he’d assumed that the scientists were advised of EO2HO before it was announced publicly.
It seems a bit risky introducing your interesting reflections with any mention of someone who’s daft enough to do what Boris Johnson did in his
statement and appearance at a public inquiry that he (he appeared to have forgotten ) had himself commissioned