KEN Livingstone’s comments about the mental health of Labour MP Kevan Jones overshadowed yesterday’s news that MPs would be debating and voting Trident next week.
After Jones attacked his appointment to co-chair Labour’s defence review, Livingstone said the MP: “might need some psychiatric help. He’s obviously very depressed and disturbed. He should pop off and see his GP before he makes these offensive comments.”
Livingstone’s silly, personal attack matters. It matters because if the former mayor knew of Jones’s history of mental health problems, and Jones has been very open on that front, then it was the act of a vicious, nasty coward.
If Livingstone was not aware of Jones mental health problems, as he has claimed, then it was an unpleasant, stupid, discriminatory and stigmatising attack that labels all those who suffer from mental health problems as being less.
Livingstone’s refusal and unwillingness to apologise for most of the day, and the cynical and snide way in which he eventually went about that apology was pathetic.
He is a seasoned politician. He cannot be so ignorant to not know the effects of his words.
Those words diminished depression sufferers and they took away from the real issues of the day, namely the renewal of Trident, the attacks in Paris, and air strikes against Daesh in Syria.
The world seems a little more unsafe today than it did this time last week. The decisions our politicians make between now and Christmas will, more so than usual, have repercussions that will be felt across the world for generations to come.
It is a time when we need Her Majesty’s Official Opposition to be at their sharpest. Instead, Labour seem far too preoccupied with Labour.
There are flashes now and again, of what Labour in the Commons could achieve.
We understand the Party think themselves to be a big tent of different opinions, but surely they must realise that their big tent is in danger of blowing away.
We deserve better.
Livingstone gives in as Corbyn demands unreserved apology over ‘psychiatric’ jibe
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here