Kinder, gentler politics ?

Politicians of all parties should resist the temptation to whip up hatred against their opponents. 

If they give way to the temptation to denigrate their opponents in dehumanising language in private and it leaks, they should apologise, not double down.

As former Labour MP Tom Harris wrote today on Twitter in response to the Labour deputy leader, Angela Rayner, referring to her Conservative opponents as "scum,"

"If it’s acceptable for Labour MPs to use dehumanising language about other people, then it’s open season on anyone who wants to do the same. A dangerous road to be drawn down by over-promoted student politicians."

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