In John Harris’s article (From Trump’s victory, a simple, inescapable message: many people despise the left, 10 November) there is a nugget of text that best describes the abominable mess the “left” (a catch-all descriptor which is in itself part of the problem) finds itself in, because it beautifully expresses both the problem and solution for those of a progressive bent in one fell swoop – albeit he delivers them in reverse.
It came when Harris spoke of an agenda often “expressed with a judgmental arrogance, and based on behavioural codes – to do with microaggressions, or the correct use of pronouns ...”. That rings true with many people who aren’t that fussed with identity politics (or politics in general) and feel alienated by those who are.
But then Harris continues with a clanger I could barely believe he put on paper: “… that are very hard for people outside highly educated circles to navigate”. I’m sure it’s not intentional, but surely such a coda, in its implication, falls foul of the same jaundiced thinking: you are too dumb to understand what “progress” is.
On the contrary, it’s not that people don’t understand the need to be respectful to or tolerant of others who are different; outside of political extremes, I’d say even socially conservative people have a code of “live and let live”. No, it’s more that many people are tired of being told how backwards they are if they don’t play along with the priggishness of signs, flags, symbols and linguistic rules.
When the latter stance hardens into an ideology that brooks no dissent, the result at the ballot box will be somewhat inevitable – however ghastly it may be to some of us. The irony is that the growing solipsism at the heart of so much progressive politics seems to be occupying both the ivory tower and the bunker at the same time. Maybe leaving both those places is how to start the comeback.
Colin Montgomery
Edinburgh
• John Harris recognises that there are many reasons why Trump won, but then reverts to a view of a progressive left despised by a reactionary right and a muddled middle. The last 50 years have seen extraordinary changes in society: changes in behavioural norms, in attitudes towards female equality, different ethnicities, sexual orientation, behaviour and religion. But societies are heterogeneous, and many people feel uncomfortable with some changes.
Inequality of wealth and income is less accepted as fair, necessary or inevitable, with a growing gap between aspirations and achievement. The left underestimated the difficulty of creating widespread acceptance of the changes that they have introduced and campaign for, making it easy for those we call populists to call us the “liberal elite” and to gain votes for “traditional values”.
Societal problems are complex. Complex problems never have simple solutions, and most people have no time, desire or ability to wrestle with the complexities.
Martyn Thomas
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
• John Harris has once again proved he is the smartest writer the Guardian has. The left has become elitist, snobbish and tone deaf to its old voting base in the working class. If you continue to campaign on feelings and “vibes” rather than promises kept and economic reality, you will keep losing. Keir Starmer won an election on promises and lost support instantly by breaking them.
Dan Rainey
Hull
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