Was The Conservative Party Right To Withdraw The Whip From Anne Marie Morris

[sp1814]

She claimed that the Brexit 'No deal is a n***** in a woodpile’

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/anne-marie-morris-racist_uk_5963b0cae4b03f144e2c7c78

Not even sure what this phrase means, especially in regard to Brexit (will look it up later), but perhaps in this instance the phrase is ill-considered rather than specifically offensive?

I mean she wasn't slagging off a black person - just using an out-of-date phrase?

[fiction-factory]

The reports I saw say what she said was "Now we get to the real *** in the woodpile, which is in two years what happens if there is no deal."
It's a term that should be avoided but it seems to me to be an unwise choice (sometimes these things come out unplanned from our memory of terms we have heard in the past many years ago when the term was not uncommon), rather than a malicious reference to black people

[Celtigra3]

Sorry I don't think it's acceptable. If she wants to be a politician she should think about what she says. Will she be referring to homosexuals as queers as was common once. Language is constantly evolving and what was once acceptable may no longer be.

[Jackdaw33]

It means a malign influence and when I was young it was part of everyday speech with no thought of racial connotation. A more acceptable phrase with the same meaning is 'a fly in the ointment'.

[Bazile]

déjà vu ?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/2273176/David-Cameron-urged-to-sack-Tory-peer-after-***-in-the-woodpile-remark.html

[woofgang]

wow, nose and face comes to mind here.....I mean ok to do if you have got a massive majority but to withdraw the whip from an MP now is surely risky?

[ToraToraTora]

no it's common saying that is now toxic, easy slip to make, we are all getting a bit silly over these sorts of things. It's not as if see used the N word deliberately.

[scooping]

No to suspension. Yes to an apology from Morris who surely didn't mean to offend.

[ToraToraTora]

the PC warriors got their alans in a brahms when some teacher said it a couple of years ago. Not sure what happened there, probably got fired. Gawd, eeny meany miney mo was common when we were saucepans, no one batted a eye lid. All a bit too precious these days.

[naomi24]

SP types n***** and upon seeing that, the word runs through all our minds because we all know what he means but he can’t type the word in full because it’s politically incorrect. Worse still, depending on who you are, you are allowed to actually SAY it, but God help you if you’re not in with the ‘In Crowd’ and say it because punishment awaits. What absolute nonsense it all is.

[Bazile]

Is there a suite in the tower ?

[Jackdaw33]

I believe a few years back the head of a nursing union was forced to resign over the same remark. As Naomi says, absolute nonsense.

[fiction-factory]

It is a bit odd, i agree, naomi- rappers regularly use the word (but often spell it Niggas), but maybe as black artists they are allowed to use it. The word (dog's name) was edited out of Dambusters I think but is still included when Elvis Costello's Oliver's Army is played (last white ***)

[sp1814]

naomi24

I can't type the word because a) I don't like to use it and b) even if I wanted to use it, it would be asterisked by AB.

Think of it this way - it's not political correctness if it's a word that many people find offensive. Surely it's up there with the 'C' word for many people?

[vetuste_ennemi]

Was the Conservative Part right to...?

What "conservative" party might that be?

"...completely unacceptable...Language like this has absolutely no place in politics or in today’s society.”

Ever more simulated outrage over ever more trivial "offences" against the Zeitgeist.

"Apology yes"? For what and to whom?

[Mamyalynne]

It was an unwise and unnecessary choice of term , at least she has apologised unreservedly.


Was the Party right to suspend, I really have no idea.

[mikey4444]

Entirely unsuitable word and yes, she should be castigated by the Party.

[sp1814]

The Conservative Part would be the very most conservative part of the Conservative Party.

[sp1814]

mikey4444 - I don't think she should be suspended (that's what's happened now)

The Tories aren't exactly in a position to jettison the MPs they have...

[anneasquith]

One mp down is bad news for Theresa .

[mikey4444]

Daft woman.