When we were young feminists we used to chant the slogan “the personal is political”, but now I’ve come to believe that the personal shouldn’t always be so.
Isn’t it time that anyone who participates in political discourse is reminded of Oxford Union debate rules? It’s about the argument, not the person. Or as they say in the sporting realm: you should play the ball and not the man (or woman).
An element of robust argument, including a tradition of knockabout invective, is part of public and especially political discourse, but the personal aspect of communication on social media has become increasingly vile.
