Andrew Tettenborn

The EHRC is right to ditch Stonewall

(Getty images)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has unceremoniously dumped Stonewall – and who can blame it? Its excuse for ceasing to pay at least £2,500 a year for the privilege of being part of Stonewall’s ‘diversity champions’ programme was that it did not offer ‘value for money’. For all the anodyne corporate-speak, it seems clear the increasing toxicity of the Stonewall brand played a big part in the decision.

There was another factor in play here too. Interestingly enough, while Stonewall’s stock goes ever downwards, the outlook of the EHRC seems to be changing for the better. Getting shot of Stonewall, despite widespread acceptance of this organisation by public bodies up and down the country, is only one instance. 

In April, to everyone’s surprise, the EHCR confirmed that ‘gender critical’ beliefs are protected in law. It said in a statement: 

‘We believe it is important that our courts and tribunals continue to robustly protect freedom of religion or belief.’

This was a remarkably conservative move for a body of this type

This was a remarkably conservative move for a body of this type. So what is happening? 

The answer lies in some discreet but astute manoeuvring by Liz Truss, the minister responsible for the EHCR. Last year, she appointed four new commissioners to its board. These included Jessica Butcher, a successful entrepreneur; Su-Mei Thompson, a corporate lawyer with management experience at, among others, the FT and Christies; and David Goodhart, a journalist of fiercely independent views who works for Policy Exchange. Interestingly, none of these was an activist: and none accepted unquestioningly the narratives of structural oppression or the like.

Many on the usual suspects howled in response. David Goodhart, in particular, was attacked by the Runnymede Trust and the Muslim Council of Britain for his scepticism about anti-racism. The real worry among progressives, however, was that it was obvious none of the new appointees was a malleable member of the cosy coterie of the equality establishment.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Keep reading with a free trial

Subscribe and get your first month of online and app access for free. After that it’s just £1 a week.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

Or

Unlock more articles

REGISTER

Comments

Don't miss out

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.

Already a subscriber? Log in