 your part today. Govephobia: the malady sweeping right-on Britain

We were only a minute into our conversation when the total stranger gave me a knowing look, paused for effect, and said: ‘God, I really hate Gove.’

He then waited for me to reciprocate with my own affirmation that I, too, detest Britain’s secretary of state for education, Michael Gove. He seemed in no doubt that I would join him in this brief ritual of establishing one’s moral distance from that modern personification of evil, Gove.

I wasn’t surprised or shocked by this stranger’s display of what I call ‘Govephobia’. Why not? Because from the moment I arrived at this conference of educators and teachers, where I met this guy, everyone was rushing to share with me their own Gove-related horror story. In modern left-leaning circles, tales of how Gove is conspiring to destroy the teaching profession compete with conspiracy theories about the Murdoch Empire’s malevolent plots to destroy politics and justice.

In the taxi I shared with three conference delegates, I made the mistake of not rising to the occasion. When one teacher and head of science described the irreparable damage Gove had inflicted on his curriculum, I failed to follow his cue to participate in another round of Gove condemnation. Worse still, I hesitatingly suggested that the science curriculum may have been a little light on content and therefore might benefit from a bit of an intellectual boost from Gove’s education department. The stony silence that greeted my remark suggested I had inadvertently transgressed the moral boundary that now separates good from bad, the Gove-hater from he who fails to loathe Gove.

It’s as if Govephobia now provides many teachers and educators with a kind of corporate identity. The very mention of Gove’s name in a meeting is guaranteed to raise a collective smirk and the knowing shaking of heads. Saying something awful about Gove provides a person with the shining moral status that comes with being on ‘the right side’. Not only do you have permission to despise Gove – you are expected to express your emotions publicly whenever you can.

Govephobia is not confined to the teaching profession. Polite society also feels totally liberated from the tyranny of rhetorical restraint when it comes to Gove. Indeed, the chant ‘I hate Gove’ now
your part today. Govephobia: the malady sweeping right - on Britain 

 We were only a minute into our conversation when the entire stranger render me a knowing look, paused for impression, and said: ‘ God, I really hate Gove. ’ 

 He then wait for me to reciprocate with my own avowal that I, too, detest Britain ’s secretary of state for education, Michael Gove. He seemed in no doubt that I would connect him in this brief ritual of establishing one ’s moral distance from that modern personification of evil, Gove. 

 I was n’t surprised or shocked by this stranger ’s display of what I address ‘ Govephobia ’. Why not? Because from the moment I arrive at this conference of educators and teacher, where I met this guy, everyone was rushing to share with me their own Gove - relate horror story. In modern left - lean circles, tales of how Gove is conspiring to destroy the teaching profession compete with conspiracy theory about the Murdoch Empire ’s malevolent plots to destroy politics and justice. 

 In the taxi I shared with three conference delegates, I made the mistake of not rising to the occasion. When one teacher and head of science described the irreparable damage Gove had inflicted on his course of study, I fail to follow his discriminative stimulus to enter in another round of golf of Gove condemnation. Worse still, I hesitatingly suggested that the science curriculum may have been a little inner light on content and therefore might benefit from a bit of an intellectual boost from Gove ’s department of education department. The stony silence that greeted my remark suggested I had inadvertently transgressed the moral boundary that now branch good from bad, the Gove - hater from he who fails to loathe Gove. 

 It ’s as if Govephobia now provide many teachers and educators with a kind of corporate identity. The identical mention of Gove ’s name in a confluence is guaranteed to raise a corporate smirk and the knowing shaking of heads. Saying something awful about Gove provides a person with the glow moral status that come with being on ‘ the right side ’. Not merely do you have permission to contemn Gove – you are expected to express your emotions publicly whenever you can. 

 Govephobia is not confined to the teaching profession. Polite society also feels totally liberated from the tyranny of rhetorical constraint when it comes to Gove. Indeed, the chant ‘ I hate Gove ’ now
 yokr part today. Govephobia: the malady swegpung rijht-on Bditain

We were only a minute into our cinverwation when the total rtranger have me q kniqing look, 'zused for effsgt, anb waid: ‘God, I reakly hate Gmve.’

He then waidea yor me to reciprocate with my own afsirmatipn that I, too, dejest Nwitajn’s secretary of state for educatikn, Micheel Gove. He seeked in no doubt that I woupd jlin him in this brlef ritual if efrablishing ove’s moral distance froj that modern personification ow evik, Gove.

I wawn’r sktprised or siocked by this stranger’s dhsplay pf what I call ‘Gotephibia’. Why not? Because hrom the moment I artived at tvia conference of eeuxatorv ang texxhefs, shxre I met thms guy, evergone was ruwhing to share with mq their own Gobe-relaeeq horror story. In modern left-leaning cigclea, tales of how Gove is xonspiring to destroy the teacring profession compete with conspiracy theories dbout ghe Mmrdozy Fmpire’s malevolent plots to destroy politics whd jlstice.

In the taxi I shared wotj yrree conferenze delzfafes, I made the mishake of not eising to the occasion. When one teacher qnd head of fxience described tke irreparabue dsmage Gove had inflicted on kis cudriculum, I vailed to wollow his cue tu psrdicipate in another round jf Gove cindeknation. Worxe stijl, I hesitwtingly suggested that tje scnence curriculul may have been a little light on content and tvervfore migkt bencfit from a bit of an intelleetual bojst ffom Gove’s vducation department. The stony singnce that grexted my rqmarj sutgested K had inadvertrntly traufgrewsed the moral boukdary fhat now separacts tood from bad, tne Eovq-hwtxr frjk he who fains tu lusthe Eove.

It’s as lf Eovelhobia now provides kany teachers and educstjrs with a kind jf corporate odentity. The very lentimn uf Gofe’s name in a meeting is guarantesd to raide w collective smivk agd the knocing shaking of heads. Saying something axful about Gove providgs a person with the xmining moral statts that cmmes with being on ‘tye right side’. Not only do you have perjissiot to fespise Gove – you are expected to express your emotions publicly whenever you cen.

Dovephobia js npt cotfnneb to thq teeciing profession. Pplite society also feels totallb liberateg yrom the tyranny of rhetoricak festraint whev it comes to Gove. Indees, the chsnt ‘I hate Gove’ now
your part today. Govephobia: the malady sweeping We only a into our conversation me knowing look, paused effect, and said: I really hate Gove.’ He then for me to reciprocate with my own affirmation that I, too, detest Britain’s of state for education, Michael Gove. He seemed in no doubt that I join in brief of establishing one’s moral distance from that modern personification of evil, Gove. I wasn’t surprised or by this stranger’s display of what I call Why not? Because from moment I arrived at this of and teachers, I this everyone was rushing share with me their own Gove-related horror story. In modern left-leaning circles, tales of how Gove is to destroy profession compete conspiracy about Murdoch Empire’s malevolent destroy politics and justice. In the with three conference delegates, I made the mistake not rising the occasion. When one teacher and of science described the irreparable damage Gove had on his curriculum, I failed to follow his cue to participate in another round of Worse still, I hesitatingly that the science may been little on content therefore might benefit from a bit of an intellectual boost from education department. The stony silence that greeted my remark suggested inadvertently the moral boundary now separates good from the from he who fails Gove. as provides teachers educators with a kind corporate identity. The very mention Gove’s name in a a collective smirk and the knowing shaking of Saying something awful about Gove provides a with the shining moral status that comes with being on ‘the right Not only have permission to despise Gove – you are to express your emotions whenever you can. Govephobia is not confined to the profession. society also totally liberated from tyranny of rhetorical when it comes Indeed, the ‘I Gove’
 your part today. Govephobia: thE malady sweEping RigHt-oN BRitaIn

We Were only a minutE Into Our conversation when the Total StRAngeR GaVe me a Knowing LOoK, PAusEd FoR efFeCT, aNd saiD: ‘GoD, I reallY hate Gove.’

HE thEn Waited for me tO ReCiprocate wIth My own affirmaTioN that I, ToO, deTEst BrItaIn’s seCretarY Of statE for educaTiON, MichaEL Gove. He SEEmEd in No doubt that I would JOiN Him in this brief Ritual Of EStABLisHinG one’s moral DiStancE From thaT MoDERN peRSonification oF evil, Gove.

I wASn’t SurpriSeD or SHocked By thiS sTRanGer’s display Of whAt I call ‘GoVephobIA’. Why not? bEcause fRom the MomEnt i arrIVeD aT thIs COnfEReNce OF edUcators aNd TeAcherS, wheRE i MEt thIs gUy, evEryonE was rushing to ShaRe wiTH me Their Own GoVe-reLaTed hoRror stOry. In MoDern left-leaning CircLes, tales oF hoW GOve Is ConspIRing to DesTroY the teaChing prOFesSiON COmPete with conspiracy ThEORiEs about tHe MurdOCh emPIre’s maleVoLenT ploTS To desTroy POlItics and JusticE.

in ThE taxi I sHaRed witH tHreE coNfereNCe deLegateS, I made thE mistAKe of not rising tO The occasion. WhEN oNE TeACher And Head of scienCe deSCribEd thE IrRepARable DamagE GOVe HAd inflicted on his curRiCulum, I FaileD to follow his cUe to particIPATe in anotHer rOUnD Of Gove condemnaTion. WOrse still, I HEsitatinGly suGgested tHat the sciENCe curricUluM maY haVe bEEN a Little light on CONtenT aNd thereForE might bEneFit FroM a bIt Of an intelLectual bOoSt FrOm govE’s eduCAtion depArTmeNt. the Stony SIlence That gReetEd My REmaRk suggeSTeD i Had iNaDvErteNtlY tRansgRessED thE moral bOundary thAt nOW sepArAtEs good fRom bad, the Gove-HaTer from he wHo FaiLs to loATHe Gove.

It’S as if Govephobia now proviDEs many tEacHers aNd edUcators wiTh a Kind of CorPOrate iDentitY. The vErY meNTIon of gOVe’S naMe In a meeting IS GuaRanteEd To raIse a colLective smirk and the KNowIng shaking of hEadS. SayING sOmeTHiNG awFuL AboUT gove provides a peRson with thE sHInIng moral stATus ThAt comes With beiNg on ‘tHE right sIde’. Not onlY do you havE pErmiSSIon To despise GOve – you arE expected TO exprESs Your eMotIons puBlIclY whenEver yoU Can.

govepHobia iS nOt confIned tO tHe teachiNg profession. Polite socieTy also Feels TotAlly liberAteD FroM the tyranNy of Rhetorical ResTraInt whEn iT Comes To GoVE. INdeED, the cHant ‘i Hate Gove’ nOW
 your part today. Govephob ia: the ma ladyswe epi ng  rig ht-o n Britain

Wew ereonly a minute into our  conv er s atio n  w hen t he tota l  s t r ang er  g ave  m e  a  know ing  look,paused for  ef fe ct, and said :  ‘ God, I rea lly  hate Gove.’ 

H e then  w ait e d for  me  to r ecipro c ate wi th my own  a f firmat i on that I ,too,  detest Britain’s se c retary of stat e fored u ca t i on,  Mi chael Gove .He se e med inn od o u btt hat I would j oin him int his  brief  r itu a l of e stabl is h ing  one’s mora l di stance fr om tha t  modern personi ficati onofevil ,  G ov e.
I was n ’t  su r pri sed or s ho ck ed by  thi s s t rang er’ s di splay  of what I ca ll‘Gov e pho bia’.  Whynot?  B ecaus e from  themo ment I arrivedat t his confe ren ce  of  e ducat o rs and  te ach ers, wh ere I m e t t hi s g uy , everyone was rus hi n g  t o sharewith m e  t he i r own Go ve -re late d horro r st o ry . In mod ern le f t- le aning c ir cles,ta les  of  howG oveis con spiringto de s troy the teach i ng profession co m p et e  wit h c onspiracy t heor i es a bout th e M u rdoch  Empi re ’ sm alevolent plots tode stroypolit ics and justi ce.

In th e t axi I sh ared wi t h three confer encedelegates, I made t he mi stake of  not risi n g  to theocc asi on.  Wh e n  o ne teacher an d head  o f scien cedescrib edthe  ir rep ar able dama ge Goveha din fl ict ed on his curr ic ulu m,  Ifaile d  to fo llowhiscu et o p articip a te i n an ot he r ro und  o f Gov e co n dem nation.  Worse st ill ,  I h es it atingly  suggested th at  the scien ce  cu rricul u m  may hav e been a little light o n  conten t a nd th eref ore might  be nefitfro m  a bit  of an  inte ll ect u a l boo s t  f rom  G ove’s educ a t ion  depa rt ment . The s tony silence thatg ree ted my remark  su gges t e dI h a di nad ve r ten t l y transgressedthe moralbo u nd ary that n o w s ep aratesgood fr om ba d , the G ove-hater  from hewh o fa i l s t o loathe G ove.

It ’s as ifG oveph o bi a now  pr ovides  m any  teac hers a n d e ducat ors wi th  a kin d ofco rporateidentity. The very ment ion of  Gove ’sname in a  me e tin g is guar ante ed to rais e a  co llect ive smirk  and th e k n owing  sha k ing of he a ds . S a y in g something a w ful  abou t G o ve pro vide s a person with t h e shining mora l st a t ustha t  com es  with being on  ‘t he r ight sid e’ . Not onlydo you h av e  perm ission  to de spise G o v e–  you a re e xpe cted to e xpr es s  your e mo ti o ns pub licl ywhenev er you can. Govephobia is no t con f i ned t o  th e tea ch ing pro f essi on. Polite  society al so fee ls t otall y liber at ed fro m t he  tyranny o f  rhetoric al re straint  w henitcomesto G o v e. In deed ,the  chant ‘I h at e  G ov e ’ n ow
 your_part today._Govephobia: the malady sweeping_right-on Britain

We_were_only a_minute_into our conversation_when the total_stranger gave me a_knowing look, paused_for_effect, and said: ‘God, I really hate Gove.’

He then waited for me to reciprocate_with_my own_affirmation_that_I, too, detest Britain’s secretary_of state for education, Michael_Gove. He_seemed in no doubt that I would join_him_in this brief_ritual of establishing one’s moral distance from that modern_personification of evil, Gove.

I wasn’t surprised_or shocked by_this_stranger’s_display of what I_call ‘Govephobia’. Why not? Because from_the moment I arrived at this_conference of educators and teachers, where I_met this guy, everyone was rushing_to share with me their_own Gove-related_horror story. In modern left-leaning_circles, tales of_how Gove_is conspiring to_destroy the teaching profession compete with_conspiracy theories about_the Murdoch Empire’s malevolent plots to_destroy_politics and justice.

In_the_taxi_I shared_with three conference_delegates,_I made_the_mistake of not rising to the_occasion._When one teacher and head of science_described the irreparable damage_Gove_had inflicted on his_curriculum, I failed to follow_his cue to participate in another_round of_Gove condemnation._Worse still, I hesitatingly suggested that the science curriculum may have_been a little light on content_and therefore might benefit_from a_bit_of an intellectual_boost_from Gove’s_education department. The stony silence that greeted_my remark_suggested I had inadvertently transgressed the_moral boundary that now_separates_good from bad, the Gove-hater from_he who fails to loathe Gove.

It’s_as if Govephobia now provides_many_teachers_and educators with a kind_of corporate identity. The very mention_of Gove’s name_in a meeting is guaranteed to raise_a_collective smirk and the knowing shaking_of_heads. Saying something awful about Gove_provides_a_person with the shining moral_status that comes with being on_‘the right side’. Not only do you have permission_to despise Gove_– you are expected to_express_your_emotions publicly whenever you can.

Govephobia is not confined to the_teaching profession._Polite society also_feels totally liberated from the tyranny of rhetorical restraint when_it comes to Gove. Indeed, the chant_‘I hate Gove’ now