Whoism laid bare
On any disputed issue the real division is between Independents and Partisans,
Whatists vs Whoists.
Independents or Whatists form an opinion based on observation and experience. The opinion may be right or wrong, and it may change for good or bad reasons, but it doesn't change based on WHO agrees with it.
Partisans or Whoists form an opinion based on brands and teams. If My Team agrees with this action, the action is good. If the Other Team agrees with this action, the action is bad. Even if it's the same action, only the brand matters.
I've never heard a partisan stating the above rule explicitly. Partisans simply love My Team and hate Other Team.
Finally we have an exception, from the
grotesque Diane Abbott in UK.
She later appeared on BBC Newsnight, defending her vote in the Commons where she added: "I respect the result of the referendum and no-one wanted to thwart it in a perverse kind of way. "But we need to be clear, this is not a Tony Benn Brexit - this is a Donald Trump Brexit - and it's got a very ugly side."
This is not a Tony Benn Brexit, it's a Donald Trump Brexit, and it's ugly.
Both names are dubious associations. Tony Benn has been out of action for many years, and Brexit happened BEFORE Trump was in action. So you can't treat either of these men as a cause of Brexit.
Nevertheless, it's a perfectly clear statement of Whoism.