Referendum result is a vote against conformity
I PREDICTED the referendum result in a column here last December that began: “Don’t be surprised if the woman in the home referendum is defeated.”
Earlier this month, I said it would fail because, despite establishment cosy consensus, everyone normal knew it was a steaming pile of bollockology.
As it transpired, it was the biggest No vote in referendum history.
I’m relieved it was rejected because we were being asked to vote for the most ludicrous changes that would have removed protections for mothers, harmed carers, and caused legal chaos.
That was very clear to anyone who spent five minutes of critical thinking on the subject, instead of being sold the pup of it being “progressive” by a Government trying to make itself look good.
That’s all great, and well done me, but the point is not so much that I was right, but I wasn’t afraid to be wrong.
The result could have gone the other way and so what? We’re all wrong sometimes. Once you speak honestly, say what you sincerely feel, that’s all that matters.
It’s all the more important in politics, as you’re elected to represent the people and lead on issues in the best direction, as you see it.
Not to think one thing, but say and do another, depending on which way the political wind is blowing. That’s hypocrisy. Lisa Chambers seemed to expect a standing ovation for coming out as a No/no voter postreferendum, when it was safe to do so.
She’d dismissed the fact she’d been out campaigning for a Yes/yes vote just weeks before.
Turns out Fianna Fail TD Niamh Smyth also voted No in the woman in the home referendum but only felt secure enough to reveal this when she knew 74% of the country thought the same way.
(Interestingly, the men who voted against it were fearless to state it in advance – Fine Gael’s John Mcguinness and Fianna Fail’s
Eamon O Cuiv.
Make of that
what you will.) Chambers and Smyth have been heavily criticised for it, particularly Seanad leader Chambers, but I think the psychodrama playing out is healthy, as it may lead to positive change.
It’s like all these politicians who’d bought into the fake-woke agenda are having some kind of existential crisis, following the red-pill referendum.
They’re seeing how the emperor has no clothes, but it’s useless saying that after it’s been revealed, just because you now feel a bit silly for fawning over his finery.
There is far too much conformity in Irish politics, with all the leading parties, both in Government and
Opposition, nodding their heads in unison on all issues. They are paralysed with fear of saying the “wrong” thing and the country pays the price.
So we were the longest locked-down nation in the free world during the pandemic, while all the vulnerable groups, that “liberal” parties supposedly stand for, took the brunt.
We have the shame of immigrants sleeping on the streets in tents because no-one in Government had the political courage to say: “We have done all we can.”
One of the most famous tests in psychology is called the Asch conformity experiment, from the 1950s.
Examples on Youtube are fascinating and disturbing to watch.
They demonstrate that group conformity is such a powerful social force that people will go along with others, even if they don’t believe what they are saying.
They will literally deny what is before their own eyes, such is the need for acceptance and approval.
Nations suffer in the grip of conformity and last weekend, the people themselves said: Enough.
Politicians take note.
It was the biggest No vote in referendum history