Tory party riddled with gays?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.thisislond...with-gays-says-ken.do

Is this appropriate language for a prospective Major of London to make?

Notice how the BBC (all in the name of political correctness), altered what he actually said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...gland-london-16955851

[anneasquith]

london major, oh :)

[d9f1c7]

It's unusual for a left leaning politician to show such a homophobic attitude. There are some gays in all the main parties, I don't think that in itself is bad or even relevant Red Ken clearly does. I'm more concerned with their general abilities than their private preferences. I suggest Ken gets back to newt farming.

[Khandro]

I haven't read the full article, but it appears to be journalism at its worst; a highly edited and manipulated version of the quotations of an idiot. Best keep out of it, and not sink to that level.

[Philtaz]

Red Ken makes that statement as though gay people are some sort of 2nd class citizens or to be reviled and ridiculed.
Or is he more upset that in the interests of balance and equal rights that the Labour Party are falling way behind in parity?

[Gromit]

I think I missed it. What did the BBC change to be PC (genuine question).

It is slightly unfair of Ken. It is obviously easier for a Labour hopeful to get a seat than a Tory one if they are homosexual. So the Tory candidate lies (or omits the truth). If they are then elected as MPs they may feel they need to vote anti-gay to remain inconspicuous.

[jno]

where have the BBC altered what he said?

As far as I can see, he's said the Tory party has the same proportion of gays as any other group does, which doesn't seem specially controversial.

[anotheoldgit]

the Evening Standard wrote:

The Tory party is riddled with GAYS.

The BBC wrote:

The Tory party is riddled with HOMOSEXUALS.

But then further research reveals the Daily Mail also used the word Homosexuals.

So is the Mail also becoming PC or what were the actual words Ken Livingstone said?

[naomi24]

Like Khandro, I haven’t read the articles fully either because this sort of nonsense drives me nuts! Stupid people causing friction by manufacturing senseless propaganda!

[douglas9401]

I'm surprised at his attitude. I've always thought he was homosexual himself.
Probably should have Googled him.

[jno]

he didn't say either. Both reports quoted him:

"As soon as Blair got in, if you came out as lesbian or gay you immediately got a job. It was wonderful.
"You just knew the Tory party was riddled with it, like everywhere else is."

They just used different words to explain what "it" meant. Why do you think "homosexuality" is politically correct and "gays" isn't?

As far as Livingstone goes, I don't think he's remotely homophobic, just Toryphobic, so he used words like "riddled" to mock their traditional attitude to gays. But he does acknowledge that they've improved.

I also don't think he's bothered that Labour are behind in the polls; he personally is ahead of Boris (though I'll be surprised if he wins).

[Gromit]

Livingstone actually said neither

// "Well, the Labour ones have all come out... you just knew the Tory party was riddled with it like everywhere else is." //

So the accusation of the BBC changing GAYS to HOMOSEXUAL to be PC does not stand up to scrutiny.

[Quizmonkey]

Your blanket assumptions regarding PC terminology in the gay/homosexual arena are astounding - and as off the mark as your apparent condemnation of the media.

[naomi24]

AOG, what difference does the word used make - and what difference does a politicians sexuality make to his/her ability to do the job? The whole thing is rubbish!

[Quizmonkey]

PS My comment was to the Old Git.

[Old_Geezer]

"riddled with gays"
LMAO
Well most of them went to public school didn't they ;-)

[jackthehat]

"Nothing to see here.........move along, please."

[anotheoldgit]

Some other quotes of K Livingstone:

/// He said: 'Well, the Labour ones have all come out. As soon as Blair got in, if you came out as lesbian or gay you immediately got a job. It was wonderful. ///

/// Talking about the mayoral elections last year he suggested he represents Winston Churchill and Mr Johnson is Adolf Hitler. ///

/// 'Those who don't vote for me will be weighed in the balance come Judgment Day. The Archangel Gabriel will say, 'You didn't vote for Ken Livingstone in 2012. Oh dear, burn for ever. Your skin flayed for all eternity.'' ///

/// And in 2006, he was at the centre of a race row after comparing a Jewish reporter to a concentration camp guard. ///

/// Mr Livingstone also claimed that Margaret Thatcher was 'clinically insane' during her own time as PM ///

'People in glass houses', springs to mind..

[naomi24]

'Idiot' springs to my mind.

[Gromit]

I wonder if AOG knows that Ken's interviewer is Mrs Imran Khan?

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// I wonder if AOG knows that Ken's interviewer is Mrs Imran Khan? ///

What are you ridiculously trying to suggest?

Regardless of how the various newspapers have interpreted his words, this is an extract from the actual New Statesman's interview.

Pressed by Khan about his use of "Tory MP", Ken responds:

Well, the Labour ones have all come out . . . As soon as Blair got in, if you came out as lesbian or gay you immediately got a job. It was wonderful . . . you just knew the Tory party was riddled with it like everywhere else is.

Still completely offensive, he seems to imply that being Homosexual (Gay) is some form of disease that is widespread everywhere.