I think language is at the root of this… and has been for a long time. Left to it’s own devices, society slides gradually more liberal. When one side or another attempts to move things too fast, there is a backlash and an attempt to pull in the opposite direction. In a world where the word ‘transphobic’ now applies to pretty much everything, the word becomes meaningless.

It’s overuse has rendered it an ineffective warning for the centre ground. Those of us who sit bang in the middle (see my latest article about pregnancy) are unable to distinguish between what will BE harmful and what we’re TOLD is harmful. Many in the centre right have slid ever more quickly into the embrace of surety provided by the right.

I have no doubt that what you’ve highlighted here is going to be very harmful for young people - but I don’t expect it will cut through the sheer amount of noise that exists in the discourse. Many central ground liberals have simply checked out - but nobody in their echo chambers can see it yet.