The problem with this, as Owen knows only too well, because it has been pointed out to him repeatedly, he would not be referring a “religious freedom” bill with “Well, if Labour were in power, which we’re not, we would put more safeguards in”. Frankly, if someone wrote an article as staggeringly dismissive of homosexual rights as he has dismissed EU citizens rights here, I would be waiting for his response with baited breath. Look at his response to the DUP or Tim Farron’s views. Hardly a great “respect for democracy” there.
Oh, and incidentally, we’re not pointing this out “because Owen is gay”. We’re doing this because he has actively, and legitimately, brought his sexuality and minority status up when attacking his political opponents. To then get grumpy that people are pointing out the apparent hypocrisy when it’s a minority he is not a member of is, in itself, slightly hypocritical.
At the end of the day, Owen is a Labour partisan. He’s putting the party before country and before principle. If the party view switches, Owen will switch with them. Which is fine.
But it shows where Labour stands, and allows us to assess where we vote accordingly.
