Laurence fox: not the hero we want but the hero we deserve | thearticle

Laurence Fox, previously best known for his role in Lewis on ITV, burst onto the political scene with panache last week. On Question Time last Thursday, to wildly mixed reactions, Fox

proceeded to give his opinion on everything from racism in the UK, to climate change and the Labour leadership. People on the right cheered him, an actor and media luvvie talking in a way

they understood, whilst his words were met with horror in left-wing circles and, of course, much of the media. His plain-talking approach will have resonated with many people. His sarky

backtracking on who he backed for Labour leader, followed by querying why the debate should focus on gender, not policies, made sense. He was able to cut through the Westminster

no-man’s-land of carefully phrased, politically correct statements on gender equality and say what so many people think. Fox clearly prides himself on being an outlier in the world of the

arts by having what he considers to be down-to-earth, straight-talking views more representative of the public than many of his colleagues. However, his sweeping statements come across as no

less patronising than those of his colleagues on the other side of the debate. No matter how well-intentioned, a member of the Fox acting dynasty is never going to offer a true insight into

daily life in Britain. Is this, though, what we should have expected? In recent years, we have seen a denigration of debate, where reasoned and rational disagreement has been replaced by

shouting and attempted character assassinations. In the general election, Jo Swinson decried being left out of some leadership debates as sexist, despite the obvious justification that the

Lib Dems could not occupy Number 10. Attempts to discuss immigration figures are always drowned out by cries of racism or xenophobia, and Tories are routinely touted as fascists by the

opposition. Little is ever given by way of evidence — the same lines are bellowed, and those who agree with them simply nod and agree. That is the level we have reached. When so little is

offered by way of analysis, or even reason, is it any wonder politicians are hounded in the street by those who disagree with them? Whether it be Anna Soubry or Nigel Farage, threats and

intimidation are commonplace. Politicians have never been the most popular breed, but in the last few years we have seen a seismic shift where everything they do or say is immediately seen

as deceitful and willfully lying to the British public. Unless, of course, it’s one you already agree with, in which case their word is gospel. If we can’t listen to the people who govern

the country and make our laws, respect them as voicing honest views, or at least interrogate them in a civilised manner, we need to find a different voice. Laurence Fox seems to have struck

that chord. A lot of what he said, or at least how he said it, seemed designed to be inflammatory and belligerent. His purpose was clearly, as he has confirmed on social media, to wind

people up and “drink leftie tears”. Yes: he was rude, unrepentant and, at times, down right unpleasant; but, most importantly, he got through to the public. As far as I’m concerned, Laurence

Fox can be as rude and belligerent as he likes. If figureheads like him are the only way to cut through the shroud of political distrust to get these opinions aired on TV, long may he

continue.