Diversity, equity and inclusion remain an integral part of how most liberals see the world…. However, in a democracy, there is also the right to dissent and challenge. When thinking about ‘woke’, my mind is drawn away from democratic principles to a place where diversity, equity (of outcome) and inclusion are mandated - presented as a fait accompli and any questioning of the wisdom of this mandate is seen as a threat.

For me there is no difference between regimes preaching intolerance of the others. It comes from both the political left and the political right. Each group identifies those not in their philosophical family and engages in group-identification and de-humanisation. For the average liberal there’s very little difference between the two sides. Both believe they have the moral high ground but neither actually do. A liberal society naturally moves towards diversity, equity and inclusion…. The trick is not to destabilise it by injecting identity demagoguery into the place of community policy.

As for the original meaning of woke… it was bastardised the second the middle class white warriors got hold of it. The term has been tarnished by a failure to understand what it means in practice. Now, at least here in the U.K, it applies to a certain type of white middle-class semi-adult, often a white girl in dungarees, who has never had a moment of financial worry or a moment of insight. Despite his/her lack of understanding and insight embarks on a crusade to police the thoughts of others with reckless aplomb. They often burn out in a ball of anxiety and need therapy before their parents feel guilty enough buy them a flat.

I don’t want them on my side of the debate.