In Praise of Priti

You may well ask, ‘how is that Boris Johnson risks the life of a British citizen, and it’s Priti Patel who is de facto sacked?’
There are two types of critics of Priti.
First, there are the holier than thou. These people are especially harsh on Priti, because they are British Indian. This makes no sense and is hypocrisy of the highest order. She will be back in the Cabinet I forecast in 6 months.
As I write this at midnight in Hong Kong, I am watching on CNN the testimony of US Attorney General for not disclosing under oath to a Congressional enquiry his meetings with Russians.
Priti, whatever the rights and wrongs of undisclosed leaks, met our closest allies in the Middle East. Transgressions for sure, but, being hounded by the press and on social media like being chased by a bunch of wild rabid dogs is all the more reason not to ask that person’s resignation. That would have shown Prime Ministerial strength. We need to learn from the Americans and stand up to the press.
There is another reason I do not like the holier than thou critic – they too often come from our own community. It’s the same people who supported Keith Vaz in the good times, then when he was in trouble – sniggered behind his back. Maybe it is in our DNA.
Similarly, with Priti, we must support our own. Not because of some racial prejudice on our part, but because that image of a British Indian at the Cabinet table cannot be neglected.
You may disagree with her politics, and you may wish it was Seema Malhotra at the Cabinet table, but whoever it is from our community, must be supported – we are too small a minority to forget we have yet far to travel. Complacency has cost us dear time and again.
Those who campaigned against Priti even becoming an MP, put too much else above their community. They betray their true allegiances.
I went to a private fundraiser for Priti before she was even an MP. Margaret Thatcher and about a dozen others were at the home of a senior Conservative MP. We support our own. From that initial meeting of her, to her becoming a Cabinet member is extraordinary. Her powerbase in the Party is very strong. I would simply say to her, all publicity is power and she will be back.
The second type of critic is truly vile. It is the social media critic. The twits on Twitter are either mentally defective or imbeciles or both. I am sure all parties have them – but there is a category of ‘nasty Labour’ supporter just as they claim there is ‘nasty Tory’.
So rejoice at how much our community has achieved, and show your support to a victim of politics and be grateful she will be back and our community is uplifted when she is.
You may have told her how proud of her you were before. Now is actually the time to say how proud you still are.