Esther McVey’s new job is more bad joke than anti-woke... | Femi Oluwole
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The UK seems to have gone off the rails with its latest political plot. Perhaps due to the impact of the writers' strike this season, those in power are going to great measures to keep us on our toes. They're bringing back characters simply for the sake of nostalgia, like David Cameron, even if it doesn't fit into the main storyline. And they're creating conflicts out of thin air, like labeling the police as "woke" and making protests a criminal offense. As a result, factions like the far-right attack the police while the police end up attacking the left. Kudos to Suella Braverman, last week's main character, for leading this chaotic spectacle.
Afterwards, they present something that is incredibly implausible to the point where viewers simply acknowledge that the producers have run out of creative ideas: this instance being the appointment of Esther McVey as the minister of common sense (otherwise known as the "Tsar of Wokedom").
She is being hailed as a straightforward individual from the northern region of the country, and it seems that her purpose is to address issues related to excessively progressive thinking in the UK government. Alternatively, she may spearhead the government's absurd and bizarre mission to fight against such thinking. There are reports that one of her top priorities may be to decrease the number of diversity officers employed in the Civil Service.
To put this straight, the official meaning of the term "woke" is to have knowledge and understanding of the unfairness and biases present in society. It is suggested that a good person would take action against these injustices. Therefore, if there is a government minister whose only task is to combat the supposed problem of "woke culture", then this minister is effectively promoting social unawareness and disparity. It seems like the Conservative party is making it clear that they support inequality and discrimination. Their actions are so bold that they could even be violating the very protest laws they have passed.
Even Jacob Rees-Mogg understands how absurd this is. He questions, "What exactly is her job?" and "What does a person in charge of "wokedom" even do?" He does not believe in giving government positions to people just to meet quotas or for the sake of appearances. This is the first time we have heard someone on the political right acknowledge that some individuals misuse the term "woke" to criticize anything they disagree with.
It's quite extraordinary that the Tories have openly admitted to relying on senseless and polarizing language in order to gain the support of voters. Lee Anderson, who holds the position of deputy chair of the Tory Party, was questioned about their plan for the upcoming election, and he boldly stated that they would likely employ a combination of cultural conflicts and debates around trans issues.
It's a heartbreaking situation when we consider the past 14 years. The recent election was won by Boris Johnson, who made a vow to the citizens that Brexit would bring them financial prosperity, especially after they had gone through the struggles of austerity for four years. Unfortunately, the official government economists have revealed that Brexit has resulted in a decreased wealth for the majority of the populace. Consequently, individuals in the United Kingdom are currently undergoing the biggest decline in their living conditions ever documented.
Last week, the United Nations stepped in to express concern that poverty levels in the UK could be considered a violation of international law, as the government has neglected its duty to assist its citizens. However, rather than focusing on promoting economic stability, the current election campaign seems to be centered around Esther McVey.
The punchline is weak and it discredits the voters. Instead of offering practical solutions to the issue of the rising cost of living, we are being urged to quarrel with law enforcement. Maybe this is an attempt to divert our attention from the upcoming period of financial hardship?
This tactic has a flaw because we are already aware of the outcome. It's evident that prejudice doesn't result in financial gain. Boris Johnson, who is known for being politically incorrect or, according to McVey, displaying "common sense", caused a decline in people's financial stability. Numerous surveys confirm that two-thirds of the population in the UK believe that Brexit has resulted in financial hardship, regardless of claims made by the right that it was the left hindering the working class.
The Conservative Party claims that Esther McVey's recent job, which opposes "woke" ideals, is supportive of hardworking individuals. However, the actual wrongdoing lies in the poverty that working people experience. Additionally, our leader has boasted about divesting impoverished regions to support wealthy ones. As a result, many individuals recognize that fighting for the rights of working individuals is inherently "woke".
The end. The curtains are drawn. The lights are dimmed.