So, for this week’s instalment of “what’s annoyed me”, I present the shenanigans of the would-be Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, pointed out to me by Sonay. I have lots of thoughts on this Ms Badenoch, none of them are what I’d call exactly glowing. I’ll move past that though, as we don’t want this to turn into a sweary tirade. As part of her scheme to become the epitome of everything that’s wrong with the country, she’s gifted the world a 40-page pamphlet, entitled “Conservatism in Crisis”. I say gifted… more inflicted. The title is at least correct, Conservatism is indeed in crisis, but not for the reasons they’re saying. But I digress. It’s basically a long-winded guide on how to pretend the world isn’t happening. The key message being to just pull yourself together, and everything will be fine. Yes, because we’re all a pair of curtains. Pull the other one, it’s got bells on.
The pamphlet itself is sheer drivel – truly a masterpiece in wasted time. I’d recommend literally anything else instead: trimming your nose hairs, alphabetising your spice rack, banging your head against a wall. All far more productive. But before I waste any more of yours, I’ll get to my point. It’s not just sheer drivel, it’s ableist drivel. Dangerous ableist drivel.
To paraphrase it would give this nonsense too much credit, so I’m forced to quote it directly: “Being diagnosed as neuro-diverse was once seen as helpful as it meant you could understand your own brain, and so help you to deal with the world,” the text says. “It was an individual focused change. But now it also offers economic advantages and protections.” Ah yes, economic advantages, the glittering reward for being neurodiverse. We’re all positively rolling in privilege, right? I mean, chance would be a fine thing.
Of course, it gets even better, and for the avoidance of any doubt, I mean worse. Much worse: “If you have a neurodiversity diagnosis (eg anxiety, autism), then that is usually seen as a disability, a category similar to race or biological sex in terms of discrimination law and general attitudes. If you are a child, you may well get better treatment or equipment at school – even transport to and from home.” Yes, because nothing says luxury like getting a ride to school because navigating public transport is a nightmare. What a cushy life we lead.
And then there’s lumping anxiety in with autism. How delightfully simplistic. Yes, I mean the two often overlap, but one is a neurodevelopmental difference, as I don’t like the term disorder, and something you’re born with. Your wiring is different. Anxiety on the other hand can be situational or chronic, depending on circumstances. To lump them together in this way is frankly daft. But hey, why bother with facts when you can just lump everything together?
Let’s wrap this up with a rebuttal – reasonable adjustments in the workplace, or EHC plans for children, help to level the playing field, and allow us to thrive in a society not built with us in mind. Nobody’s rights are diluted, or taken away. It just makes it more equitable and equal for everyone, to give everyone the same chance that we all deserve.