Bridget Phillipson, the minister for women and equalities, has been called "stupid" by a senior Conservative politician after she asserted that racism and sexism have become commonplace in Britain, attributing this normalization to social media.
Phillipson pointed to specific comments made by Reform UK's Robert Jenrick and Conservative figure Nick Timothy as evidence. Jenrick had previously commented on not seeing "another white face" during a visit to Birmingham, while Timothy described a Muslim prayer session in Trafalgar Square as an "act of domination and division."
"Apparently I'm calling him names when I say that's racist," Phillipson stated in remarks to The Guardian. "I think it is fundamentally racist because I don't think he would say that about any other group." She expressed concern that such statements, which she believes would have been considered unacceptable a decade ago, are now becoming normalized.
Nick Timothy, who serves as Kemi Badenoch's justice spokesman, responded by calling Phillipson "stupid." He challenged her to identify the specific racial groups to whom he has been racist. "If she can't, she'll go on sounding stupid," Timothy said. "And I'll go on saying mass Muslim prayer in public spaces is an act of domination."
Timothy also suggested that Phillipson's comments were a warning sign regarding Labour's proposed new definition of "Islamophobia." While this definition would not be enshrined in law, free speech advocates have expressed concerns about potential restrictions on freedom of expression.
"There is a world of difference between racial identity and religious beliefs," Timothy argued. "You can't help being the race you are, but you choose the beliefs you hold. And religious beliefs – like any other ideas – should be scrutinised and challenged and satirised freely."
Phillipson, who was recently moved from her role as education secretary in a reshuffle by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, also voiced concerns about online content and the exploitation of grievances. She reiterated her worry about younger generations being exposed to increasingly unacceptable attitudes that have become normalized concerning women and race.