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Stephen Fry embodies everything wrong with our cultural elite

Stephen Fry embodies everything wrong with our cultural elite

Telegraph19-06-2025
Another day, another celebrity dunks on JK Rowling. Stephen Fry has joined the long list of Harry Potter beneficiaries like Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Ratcliffe to turn on Rowling for her views on biological sex. During a podcast recording for The Show People, Fry told the audience that Rowling 'seems to be a lost cause for us' because she 'says things that are inflammatory and contemptuous, mocking and add to a terribly distressing time for trans people'. He also claimed that Rowling had 'been radicalised by terfs'.
If she can be bothered to read about Fry's sniping, Rowling won't be surprised. Back in 2022, Fry made headlines for complaining on a different podcast that he had 'trans friends and intersex friends who are deeply upset by her', but insisted she was still a friend. During that recording, Fry asked Rowling to 'retreat', along with trans activists, to 'consider that it is possible for trans people to live full, accepted lives, according to their terms, in society, and for women to have all the rights and dignities that they demand'.
The gender wars are not some dinner party discomfort: Fry's misunderstanding of the fundamental differences in this political battle shows that you can be good at television quizzes but have no sense at all.
Rowling seems to live rent-free in the heads of many celebrities who have leeched off her writing talent. Perhaps Fry's decision to come clean with his bitchiness this time was prompted by the Supreme Court ruling that insisted the definition of woman be biological rather than fantastical. Perhaps it was Rowling's celebration of the ruling with champagne and cigars that ticked off Fry – some men find it very hard to watch women enjoy a victory.
On the one hand, who cares what Stephen Fry thinks? His desire for Rowling to shut up rather than cause discomfort to his friendship circle is laughable in its bourgeois pomposity. He should also know better than to criticise someone for voicing an unpopular opinion – he himself was almost done by the cancel culture mob for allegedly making about jokes about women shagging and Muslim terrorists at the Marylebone Cricket Club in 2023.
Perhaps, like many celebrities, Fry just likes being popular with the woke kids. He's certainly pretty cowardly for someone who fancies himself as the twenty-first-century Oscar Wilde.
But, on the other hand, Fry's denunciation of Rowling as someone who 'wakes up' to 'kick a hornet's nest of transphobia' needs contesting. Speaking to The Show People Podcast, Fry said 'to scream 'transphobe' at anybody who does not buy into every single aspect of that particular person's trans views is so self harming. It does not get the thing done. You have to let people love you'.
This is the transphobia Fry thinks Rowling is guilty of – not showing 'love'. She's not polite enough. This is what so much of trans activists' complaints boil down to – a demand for love and attention. This from a side who fail to show anything like love for the women they oppose.
It's OK if Fry and his acolytes don't like women with opinions of their own – we don't want their 'love'. We demand our freedom, respect and dignity when defending and organising our own spaces, resources and identity. Hate us for it if you like. Rowling, perhaps more than most, is used to men objecting to her speaking her mind. Thankfully, though, it won't stop her.
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American living in the UK visits Poundland for the first time - but has one major criticism
American living in the UK visits Poundland for the first time - but has one major criticism

Daily Mail​

time30 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

American living in the UK visits Poundland for the first time - but has one major criticism

An American who is living in the UK visited Poundland for the first time but he had one major criticism. Kobie Jordan, who is from the US but now living in London, took to his TikTok @kjordyyy to share a video of himself touring the popular British discount chain. However as he browsed the aisles, he was confused by the range of prices on items, despite the store's name suggesting a flat £1 cost. In the clip, which racked up 44,000 views, he said: 'It's automatically giving me Dollar General vibes. But the things aren't a pound, which is kind of crazy. I'm seeing £3.' UK-based social media users were quick to point out that while the store originally sold everything for £1, its pricing model has changed over the years due to inflation. One person said: 'When it first opened, everything was a pound. Then lockdown happened!' Another added: 'It used to literally be everything £1 now it's just a pointless shop full of stuff that's not £1.' But it wasn't just the pricing that raised questions. Kobie also had a cheeky take on the name itself, hinting that Poundland carries a very different, and much more risqué, connotation back in the US. 'They couldn't choose a different name besides Poundland? Poundland, really? UK... at least it's not called Pound Town,' he joked in the video. He even captioned the clip: 'Not a bad store... but the name is a bit sus.' Despite the eyebrow-raising branding, Kobie was surprisingly impressed by the store itself. He said: 'It's giving like a low key mini Walmart,' before adding, 'I'll be honest, most dollar stores back in the States are kind of like dirty, dingy... but there's something so clean and sterile about this one. Like, it's so pristine.' As he explored more of the shop, the American stumbled on a beloved British snack that he was eager to try. He added: 'Also, party rings. Never had them, but apparently all my British friends said they're a staple when you're growing up. Gotta try them one day. 'I'm genuinely shook with the variety of everything, cause it's not a big store from the outside, but they have a little bit of everything, which I kind of like. 'Imagine like a clean, sterile small Walmart mixed with Dollar General- that's what you have. Poundland. Many rushed to the comments to leave their own thoughts on his fair review of the discount chain 'I think I've explored every square inch of the store. I don't know what I was expecting from a Poundland, but it's pretty legit, innit? 'Living the dream, man. Living the dream in Poundland of all places.' Many rushed to the comments to leave their own thoughts on his review of the discount chain. One person said: 'My husband's American and wants a 'Poundland' T-shirt as he thinks the name is so funny.' Another suggested: 'Please try Greggs, Wetherspoons, Sports Direct and Primark.' Someone else added: 'Back in the day everything was a pound!!! There's 99p stores as well' A fourth added: 'Poundland needs to rename itself at this point. Bring back the days when everything was actually a pound'. It comes after Kobie revealed the British cultural habit of being 'over-polite' is sometimes confusing for visitors. The TikToker admitted he's still adapting to the famously apologetic and overly polite nature of British culture. In the clip, which racked up more than 45,000 views, he revealed one train journey in particular left him completely stumped. He said: 'As much as I love living in the UK, there's just one thing I have to talk about. 'Their over politeness almost to a fault. It's no secret they have a huge apologising culture. Always saying sorry, sorry all the time. But boy, do I have a story for y'all.' Kobie explained he was on a 'super packed train' from Birmingham to London when an older gentleman boarded the train and began eyeing the seat beside him, but wouldn't take it. He said: 'Every single seat was taken except for one. Right next to me, there's an older gentleman that just got on the train. 'He kept looking at me. Cause it's not my job to tell you to come sit if he wants to sit. He's a grown man, he can come sit. 'He would even look, look at me and look away. His wife had found a seat, but he was kind of looking at me like I was doing something wrong.' The American admitted he was tempted to offer the free seat to the man but he hesitated as he claimed the man could just grab the seat if he wanted it. He said: 'Part of me wanted me to offer my seat next to me to him, but I was like, wait a minute, it's an open seat, he can just come grab it if he wants to sit there. 'And me being from the US, it's hard for me to judge these type of situations here because, one, I don't know if he's actually just being too polite, maybe he's not too fond of me, or it just doesn't make sense.' He concluded: 'If y'all know me, y'all know I love the UK. And this is just my opinion and I Gotta see how it is. 'As much as I love it, that's one thing that I just can't really get my head around.' Many British commenters quickly weighed in, offering their own interpretations of what the elderly gentleman may have been thinking. One person said: 'I think he wanted you to give up your seat so him and his wife could sit together.' To which Kobie responded: 'Very true, why didn't he ask?' Another added: 'It polite to offer the seat… especially to pregnant or older people. He may not have wanted to have assumed he should squeeze past you.' Kobie added: 'Again that's so British. If you want to sit. Sit.' Someone else added: 'We're just polite to a fault. There's an unwritten rule about sitting next to people, although in PACKED situations usually doesn't apply. 'The 'look' would typically be inferred as a request to sit there and then the other party obliges.' A fourth added: 'I'm English. if he wanted the seat he would have either taken it or asked' Another added: 'As a old English lady who loves good manners, you acted in the correct manner. the choice was his to stand.'

Why England and Spain's unique rivalry goes beyond the Euro 2025 final
Why England and Spain's unique rivalry goes beyond the Euro 2025 final

The Independent

time2 hours ago

  • The Independent

Why England and Spain's unique rivalry goes beyond the Euro 2025 final

At kick-off in the Euro 2025 final, England and Spain will be rivals. But before and after, many will be friends and allies, united by a common cause. Keira Walsh is determined to win on Sunday, to become a two-time European champion as part of the first-ever England team to defend a title at a major international tournament. But Walsh also wants Spain to enjoy their moment, to make up for what was lost. Spain will undoubtedly enjoy the occasion more if they beat England to add to their World Cup triumph, but Walsh was aware of the wider meaning. England's players were hurt after their World Cup final defeat to Spain in 2023; though what followed in Sydney was the greater injustice. Spain's victory was overshadowed by Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso without her consent during their trophy celebrations. 'I don't think, for them, there was enough spotlight on how incredible they played and how incredible some of their players were,' Walsh said. 'It was all about the other stuff that had gone on.' Spain's stars lamented that there was not enough change in the country after winning the World Cup, now the focus is solely on them and the unique control they can bring to the pitch. 'They play incredible football and they deserve to be there,' said Walsh. 'As a human being I just want them to go out and just enjoy the game.' Walsh's two and a half years with Barcelona mean she has a deeper connection with several members of the Spain squad. When she felt homesick, the Spain captain Irene Parades would invite the midfielder to her family home for dinner. She grew close with many of their stars, such as Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey. But England stood as a collective with Spain after the World Cup final, even if they had not shared a dressing room or spent time as teammates. The Lionesses felt Spain were robbed of the boost they received by winning the Euros in 2022. There is respect and admiration on both sides, in understanding that their role as players is not just what happens on the pitch but in leaving the game in a better place from where they found it. England used their platform to call for social change after winning the Euros, while Spain have made sacrifices to fight for what they deserve. Patri Guijarro sat out of the last World Cup in protest of unequal treatment. Now Spain's players have seen improvements off the pitch, Guijarro is back and has been the best holding midfielder at the Euros. Sarina Wiegman has previously spoken of the relationship between England and Spain as an example of the 'special community' in the women's game, where both sides are aware of their higher purpose. After the Rubiales scandal, Spain took a stand with Se acabo, a #MeToo movement in Spanish football and beyond. 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Within that, there is also the connecting influence of Caldentey, who swapped Barcelona for Arsenal last summer and ended up taking the Champions League with her from Catalonia to north London. Caldentey's winning mentality, forged at Barcelona, influenced an Arsenal team who had consistently failed to win the biggest prizes. It was said Caldentey brought a 'contagious' mindset that 'moved the culture forward' - that feeling is still fresh in the England squad, through its sizable Arsenal contingent. Walsh and Lucy Bronze, meanwhile, can bring insight into the opposition after their time at Barcelona. When playing in midfield with Bonmati and Putellas, Walsh was expected to play short passes all the time, to the extent that she experienced something of a reverse culture shock when she returned to England and signed for Chelsea in January. She admitted she had 'lost' her ability to play long but it has returned at the Euros, where most of England's success has come when they have mixed it up and gone direct. The Lionesses are technical and can play too - but not like Spain, no one can. Instead, England have taken pride in their resilience throughout the Euros, in knowing they are never beaten. 'They can do the same,' Walsh said, after Spain also came through extra time in their semi-final to beat Germany. It is another reason for England to admire Spain, as well as another hurdle to overcome when they meet as rivals on Sunday.

Politics and protests: What to expect from Donald Trump's Scotland visit
Politics and protests: What to expect from Donald Trump's Scotland visit

ITV News

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  • ITV News

Politics and protests: What to expect from Donald Trump's Scotland visit

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The White House has brushed off questions about potential conflicts of interest, arguing that Trump's business success before he entered politics was key to his appeal with voters. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers called his visit "a working trip", but added that Trump has "built the best and most beautiful world-class golf courses anywhere in the world, which is why they continue to be used for prestigious tournaments and by the most elite players in the sport." Who will Trump meet during his visit? The president will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his stay, when the pair are expected to discuss the UK-US trade deal. Trump said the meeting would likely take place at one of his properties. He will also meet with Scottish First Minister John Swinney. The SNP leader previously said he would take the opportunity to raise various issues with the president, including tariffs, Gaza, and Ukraine. 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John Swinney has argued that it is "in Scotland's interest" for him to meet the president, and for the visit to go ahead. But some Scots disagree, and a major police operation is being mounted during the visit in anticipation of protests. Thousands of officers are expected to be deployed by Police Scotland, who will deal with planned mass protests around Trump's golf courses and major Scottish cities. Trade unions, disability rights activists, climate justice campaigners, Palestinian and Ukrainian solidarity groups and American diaspora organisations are among those holding demonstrations in protest of the visit. The Stop Trump Scotland group has encouraged demonstrators to come to Aberdeen and 'show Trump exactly what we think of him in Scotland.' A spokesperson for the organisation said: "The people of Scotland don't want to roll out a welcome mat for Donald Trump, whose government is accelerating the spread of climate breakdown around the world." 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