Obviously, upper-class eccentric Jacob Rees-Mogg is an ass, a throwback to the 14th century who wants to rewind the clock with his views on abortion, same-sex marriage and just about everything else he stands for.
However, no matter how strong a reaction this divisive character provokes there was no justifiable reason for the masked idiots to disrupt an event at the University of the West of England in which he was speaking.
To his credit, the Conservative MP for North East Somerset went to the back of the room to speak to the protesters as he is always up for a good debate and puts his views across eloquently. But all they did was hurl abuse and insults his way.
This bizarre man may well be divorced from reality with his right wing and Dickensian views but the way to challenge him is in debate with well-reasoned, articulate and fact-filled arguments.
Bombard him with analysis and reports that demonstrate the folly and danger of his calls for the abolition of environmental protections. Explain why his reliance on ancient biblical texts to justify some of his views is irrational. And point out why food banks don’t demonstrate a compassionate country as he contends but are the product of horrendous welfare reforms and benefit delays.
Sure, yell “ya boo sucks to you” if you disagree with him but if that’s all you’ve got in your intellectual arsenal you are a waste of space.
