John Anderson: Conversations Conversations: Featuring Melanie Phillips, British Journalist, Author and Broadcaster I
Sep 10, 2018
Melanie Phillips, British journalist, author and broadcaster known for commentary on culture, politics and religion. She discusses her recent books and research into family breakdown. She explores cultural and ideological shifts sidelining evidence, the rise of antisemitism and anti-Israel currents, the Brexit divide and political fallout, and the need to restore debate, moral foundations and civic trust.
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Transcript
Universities Produced Media Conformity
- Phillips contends British universities and schools ceased to be crucibles of debate and instead propagated propaganda and shut down argument.
- That cultural shift produced a media educated in that environment which now reinforces ideological conformity.
Brexit As A Revolt For National Self-Rule
- Using Goodhart-style split, Phillips highlights a divide between 'anywheres' (educated liberal elite) and 'somewheres' (majority valuing nation and tradition).
- She links Brexit to a democratic demand by ‘somewheres’ for self-rule and protection of national culture.
Parliament Versus The People Explained
- Phillips describes a democratic crisis where a pro-Remain Parliament tried to thwart a clear public vote to leave the EU.
- She likens the conflict to a 17th-century struggle between Parliament and the people, undermining sovereignty.
