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Aristocrats make bid for equality? That's a new one Aristocrats make bid for equality? That's a new one
(4 months later)
Better late than never: elements within the British aristocracy have begun disseminating ideas of fairness and equality. In a historic letter to the Telegraph, more than 200 signatories last week called on Parliament to end the system of male primogeniture and "grant equality to both sexes". Either of two forthcoming bills, these agitators say, would apply the adjustment to the royal family's succession laws to all hereditary titles and should be supported: "It is only logical and just that it be granted to all families."Better late than never: elements within the British aristocracy have begun disseminating ideas of fairness and equality. In a historic letter to the Telegraph, more than 200 signatories last week called on Parliament to end the system of male primogeniture and "grant equality to both sexes". Either of two forthcoming bills, these agitators say, would apply the adjustment to the royal family's succession laws to all hereditary titles and should be supported: "It is only logical and just that it be granted to all families."
Given the regularity with which even relatively unsmug and impoverished non-aristocrats are now urged to check their privilege, some will argue that would-be-titled members of the historic ruling class can never make very compelling feminists. One of the leading activists, the Countess of Clancarty, says she wants a "level playing field". But even her sympathisers might object that, unlike early, upper-class campaigners for women's suffrage, these new campaigners are agitating for a benefit that cannot, for blood-related reasons, conceivably benefit any non-honourable woman who is also tormented by her lack of a title.Given the regularity with which even relatively unsmug and impoverished non-aristocrats are now urged to check their privilege, some will argue that would-be-titled members of the historic ruling class can never make very compelling feminists. One of the leading activists, the Countess of Clancarty, says she wants a "level playing field". But even her sympathisers might object that, unlike early, upper-class campaigners for women's suffrage, these new campaigners are agitating for a benefit that cannot, for blood-related reasons, conceivably benefit any non-honourable woman who is also tormented by her lack of a title.
As much as our hearts go out to, say, the female Campbell per generation who cannot become the Thane of Cawdor, is her disappointment on a scale to merit organised agitation? Certainly, in comparison with this cause, the prominent campaigning by women in the media against our shocking marginalisation as BBC television presenters takes on the look of an urgent and altruistic priority.As much as our hearts go out to, say, the female Campbell per generation who cannot become the Thane of Cawdor, is her disappointment on a scale to merit organised agitation? Certainly, in comparison with this cause, the prominent campaigning by women in the media against our shocking marginalisation as BBC television presenters takes on the look of an urgent and altruistic priority.
But look at the signatories to the Telegraph letter, many of whom can never hope to benefit, even remotely, from advances in female thaneship. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Earl Alexander of Tunis and Viscount Clanfield, and assorted victims of male primogeniture-related discrimination such as Lady Pollyanna Fitzgerald and the Hon Amanda Murray, we find a host of enlightened notables including Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, Baroness Grey-Thompson, Rufus Sewell and, for the constitutionally vibrant Liberal Democrats, the MP Dr Julian Huppert. Equally persuasive, to anyone who anticipates from this advance only an inexhaustible supply of reflexively Conservative-voting expenses claimants, the crowd of authors rallies behind a quote from the Labour life peer, Lord Dubs. "There should not be gender discrimination in Britain," he says, "full stop."But look at the signatories to the Telegraph letter, many of whom can never hope to benefit, even remotely, from advances in female thaneship. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Earl Alexander of Tunis and Viscount Clanfield, and assorted victims of male primogeniture-related discrimination such as Lady Pollyanna Fitzgerald and the Hon Amanda Murray, we find a host of enlightened notables including Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, Baroness Grey-Thompson, Rufus Sewell and, for the constitutionally vibrant Liberal Democrats, the MP Dr Julian Huppert. Equally persuasive, to anyone who anticipates from this advance only an inexhaustible supply of reflexively Conservative-voting expenses claimants, the crowd of authors rallies behind a quote from the Labour life peer, Lord Dubs. "There should not be gender discrimination in Britain," he says, "full stop."
A speedier and more diverting way of addressing this form of gender discrimination might be to imitate a number of other European countries and outlaw the use of titles on pain of imprisonment or, as sticklers for tradition might prefer, execution. In a recent article, peerage equality campaigner and non-thane, Lady Liza Campbell, describes the painful experience, for a girl, of being part of a titled family. "Right here, in the heart of British life, in the bosom of one's own family, however loved you are, a girl is less than a boy." If hereditary titles come at such a cost, there must be a strong case for abolishing them altogether, no matter how much turmoil it might cause at Tatler, in the Middleton family, and to a handful of affected maitre d's.A speedier and more diverting way of addressing this form of gender discrimination might be to imitate a number of other European countries and outlaw the use of titles on pain of imprisonment or, as sticklers for tradition might prefer, execution. In a recent article, peerage equality campaigner and non-thane, Lady Liza Campbell, describes the painful experience, for a girl, of being part of a titled family. "Right here, in the heart of British life, in the bosom of one's own family, however loved you are, a girl is less than a boy." If hereditary titles come at such a cost, there must be a strong case for abolishing them altogether, no matter how much turmoil it might cause at Tatler, in the Middleton family, and to a handful of affected maitre d's.
Alternatively, would it be possible for disappointed non-inheritors to invent or, if necessary, buy titles, assuming that this, rather than privileged acquisition of family property, is the main reason for discontent? A quick search suggests that bona fide ladyship packages are available, online, for as little as £18.95: "Providing you do not purport your title to be a peerage," say the title providers, "you will have the legitimate right to assume the Lordship/Ladyship title conferred to you within your pack and to use the styled title of Lord or Lady."Alternatively, would it be possible for disappointed non-inheritors to invent or, if necessary, buy titles, assuming that this, rather than privileged acquisition of family property, is the main reason for discontent? A quick search suggests that bona fide ladyship packages are available, online, for as little as £18.95: "Providing you do not purport your title to be a peerage," say the title providers, "you will have the legitimate right to assume the Lordship/Ladyship title conferred to you within your pack and to use the styled title of Lord or Lady."
The title providers are unable, admittedly, to supply either viscountcies or earldoms, and as the Conservative MP Mary Macleod now argues, true progress requires equal access to authentic symbols of oppression. "This motion is about building fairness, modernity and equality in our society," she argued in a recent speech that, for some reason, brought to mind the Europhobic shock jock Jon Gaunt, invoking the European convention on human rights in defence of his on-air, Nazi-themed insults.The title providers are unable, admittedly, to supply either viscountcies or earldoms, and as the Conservative MP Mary Macleod now argues, true progress requires equal access to authentic symbols of oppression. "This motion is about building fairness, modernity and equality in our society," she argued in a recent speech that, for some reason, brought to mind the Europhobic shock jock Jon Gaunt, invoking the European convention on human rights in defence of his on-air, Nazi-themed insults.
For her part, Macleod cited the sad story of a baron "whose title will go to his fourth cousin once removed, rather than one of his eight daughters". Of course some supporters of the aristocracy will have wondered if the baron did not bring this tragedy upon himself by giving up much too early. Others might prefer the relatively trusty, fourth cousin once removed route to a newfangled innovation that, even if it satisfies the ambitions for his wife of Julian Fellowes, could finally annihilate a class that has survived revolution, wars, inbreeding, republics, democracy, serial leftie attacks and, most recently, Nick Clegg's failed attempt to defenestrate the 92 House of Lords hereditaries. Although for the last one, Ed Miliband's progressive Labour party, rather than any aristocratic endurance skills, must obviously take the credit.For her part, Macleod cited the sad story of a baron "whose title will go to his fourth cousin once removed, rather than one of his eight daughters". Of course some supporters of the aristocracy will have wondered if the baron did not bring this tragedy upon himself by giving up much too early. Others might prefer the relatively trusty, fourth cousin once removed route to a newfangled innovation that, even if it satisfies the ambitions for his wife of Julian Fellowes, could finally annihilate a class that has survived revolution, wars, inbreeding, republics, democracy, serial leftie attacks and, most recently, Nick Clegg's failed attempt to defenestrate the 92 House of Lords hereditaries. Although for the last one, Ed Miliband's progressive Labour party, rather than any aristocratic endurance skills, must obviously take the credit.
For feminists, the reform looks more problematic. Much as gender equality in the peerage might appear, as it does to Baroness Kennedy, a vital corrective to historic discrimination, its aristocratic, predominantly Conservative supporters in the House of Lords will hope this advance also means enhanced, protective justification for their politically disreputable existence. Along with routine preening by members of this unsackable rump on their being elected (by fellow peers) and therefore they insist, more democratic than life members, there could even be further boasting about the patrician love of equality.For feminists, the reform looks more problematic. Much as gender equality in the peerage might appear, as it does to Baroness Kennedy, a vital corrective to historic discrimination, its aristocratic, predominantly Conservative supporters in the House of Lords will hope this advance also means enhanced, protective justification for their politically disreputable existence. Along with routine preening by members of this unsackable rump on their being elected (by fellow peers) and therefore they insist, more democratic than life members, there could even be further boasting about the patrician love of equality.
And yet, as some of the beadier old parasites, along with those blessed with sons, will suspect, there is a good chance that the moment they admit one reform based on fairness, modernity and level playing fields, their most dependable defence against progressives – that of tradition, heritage, custodianship, etc – will be surrendered for good. If the charge of sexism can trump ancient letters patent, then so can that of ageism, brought by disconsolate primogeniture victims of both sexes, who should have no difficulty finding 200 sympathisers to sign a letter to the Telegraph calling for a version of the Napoleonic Code. And their rallying cry? A declaration by Labour's fratricidal Ed Miliband that "there should not be age discrimination in Britain, full stop".And yet, as some of the beadier old parasites, along with those blessed with sons, will suspect, there is a good chance that the moment they admit one reform based on fairness, modernity and level playing fields, their most dependable defence against progressives – that of tradition, heritage, custodianship, etc – will be surrendered for good. If the charge of sexism can trump ancient letters patent, then so can that of ageism, brought by disconsolate primogeniture victims of both sexes, who should have no difficulty finding 200 sympathisers to sign a letter to the Telegraph calling for a version of the Napoleonic Code. And their rallying cry? A declaration by Labour's fratricidal Ed Miliband that "there should not be age discrimination in Britain, full stop".
Again, once the aristocratic community has endorsed the level playing field, there can only be distaste for tax breaks for historic home owners, for death duty paintings allowed to stay in private houses, for reserved apartments in National Trust houses, for unelected parliamentary seats and the deferential use of unearned titles – unless, that is, everyone can benefit.Again, once the aristocratic community has endorsed the level playing field, there can only be distaste for tax breaks for historic home owners, for death duty paintings allowed to stay in private houses, for reserved apartments in National Trust houses, for unelected parliamentary seats and the deferential use of unearned titles – unless, that is, everyone can benefit.
To paraphrase Lady Liza's lament: "Right here, in the heart of British life, in the bosom of one's own family, however loved you are, a commoner is less than aristocrat." Three modern, feminist cheers, then, for Baroness Kennedy's equal rights for honourables and good luck to her 200 fellow signatories. Please don't check your privilege, any of you, or not until it's all over.To paraphrase Lady Liza's lament: "Right here, in the heart of British life, in the bosom of one's own family, however loved you are, a commoner is less than aristocrat." Three modern, feminist cheers, then, for Baroness Kennedy's equal rights for honourables and good luck to her 200 fellow signatories. Please don't check your privilege, any of you, or not until it's all over.
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