David Starkey is undoubtedly wrong for saying the racist things that he said and should 100% be suffering the consequences of it.

But to a certain degree he's a victim of the UK's broken media.

1/

Private schools and "elite" UK universities have debating societies, where people are praised for arguing in favour of contentious positions.

Whether you believe in the position or not is irrelevant, it's all about the art of persuasion - the rhetoric. 2/

Starkey has been playing the role of a cunt on TV and radio for the best part of 30 years (Disclaimer: He may also be a cunt in real life).

I have no doubt he was doing the same this week - happy to take some shiny coins in exchange for being the pantomime villain. 3/

The issue is linked to privilege.

In debating societies, it's mostly privileged people, and it's generally understood that the person arguing doesn't really believe in the contentious issue.

If you put that on TV and not everybody is in on the charade, it becomes harmful. 4/

Without explicitly acknowledging the charade of people taking contentious positions for the sake of showing off their arguing talent, or even just to entertain, you're presenting vile and harmful positions (racism, homophobia etc) as if they're somehow valid or have merit. 5/

Starkey has spent the last 30 years topping up his wage as an academic with his twat-for-hire appearances, but the twat-for-hire model has gone nuclear in the last decade.

Instead of topping up wages, you can be a twat-for-hire full time these days! 6/

For 30 years, Starkey has been enabled and allowed to be a twat-for-hire by producers and commissioners (themselves privately educated) who are in on the pantomime and charade of his act.

This week he was simply doing what they wanted him to do - what he's done for 30 years. 7/

He's vile for ever thinking his views are worthwhile, or for thinking they're suitable for airing, but Starkey's been doing it for decades and rewarded for doing so.

Starkey loses out, but the producers who've frequently booked him as a twat-for-hire suffer no consequences. 8/8

Fuck it. This thread's getting the Columbo treatment.

The producers booked Starkey, knowing he'd be a twat.

They broadcast the pre-recorded interview unedited.

When there was outcry they made idiot child and twat-for-hire grifter Darren Grimes think it was his fault and take the blame.

Zero consequences for those responsible.

Just Starkey being Starkey.

Twat-for-hire gives wide-ranging views of a twat. Covers all bases.

Anybody giving him or Grimes a platform are responsible but won't suffer any consequences.

https://twitter.com/joshwoolcott/status/1279114888426684416?s=21 https://twitter.com/joshwoolcott/status/1279114888426684416