Clive Lewis speaking in parliament
(Picture: BBC)A Labour MP has shown he has a rather odd method of canvassing voters by calling one a “moron” for questioning his policies.
In what appeared to be quite a Politicians Know Best display, Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South, asked a voter if he had “worked out” they were “a moron” after they asked him to list examples of green jobs.
Have you worked out you’re a moron yet?
— Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis) August 11, 2021
The clash started when Lewis shared an article claiming Nancy Pelosi had come out against cancelling student debt because of the pressure of donors to the Democrats. Lewis remarked that it showed “another reason our politics will struggle to exert democratic control over oligarchical & corporate interests when it comes to wealth inequality & the #climatecrisis.”
Another reason our politics will struggle to exert democratic control over oligarchical & corporate interests when it comes to wealth inequality & the #climatecrisis
— Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis) August 11, 2021
Pelosi’s Flip on Student Debt Cancellation Came After Urging From Billionaire lobbyists https://t.co/ibqV3qOBBA
In response, an account called ‘The Last Blairite’ asked Lewis if he had defined green jobs in his climate policy, in a mocking tone.
Have you worked out what 'Green Jobs' are yet Clive? Or are you still sticking with 'carers' and something about renewable energy?
— The Last Blairite #TrueLabour (@LastBlairite) August 11, 2021
It was this that irked Lewis, and led to him calling him a moron.
Alongside Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, Lewis is the co-chair of the Green New Deal APPG which seeks to green the economy by phasing out the use of fossil fuels and create a secure jobs revolution that closes the widening inequality gap. The policy came out of the Corbyn era of the party - someone Lewis supported - but Starmer has recommitted to the pledge.
His critic, who previously said on Twitter that they were a party member, appeared to question whether there could be green jobs and suggested Lewis was yet to flesh out the policy.
And reacting to the exchange, some people were outraged by the name calling and demanded that he apologise:
How not to gain voters
— Nathan Venn (@NayV99) August 11, 2021
Clive. I'm a Labour member and donor. Apologise to our other member @LastBlairite please. Your reply was inappropriate. @Keir_Starmer
— YorkieBoi #Centrist (@boi_yorkie) August 11, 2021
Oh dear Clive.
— Adrian Corbett (@Adrian_Corbett) August 11, 2021
This sums that reply up superbly.
As my old fella said “engage brain before opening gob” pic.twitter.com/A8AW7nNUf8
This is an appalling way to speak to a Labour member.
— Connor 🇬🇧🌹🏴 (@CWTV156479) August 11, 2021
Members have the right to question MPs without being called names!
A guy asked Clive a straightforward question about green jobs and this was the response. Once tipped as a possible leader of @UKLabour https://t.co/c03MEnD0KY
— Tony McDonough (@tonymc39) August 11, 2021
Meanwhile, others thought it was perfectly acceptable for an MP to call someone a “moron” on Twitter and expressed their support for Lewis’ commitment to climate change:
good to see an MP telling the truth for once…
— Aden Harris 🌹🇵🇸🌍 (@Aden_Harris_) August 11, 2021
All the Labour right milk monitors out in force shocked and appalled at Clive Lewis making an entirely accurate and correct statement. https://t.co/8QuGQ9eOKB pic.twitter.com/QTatND8ULK
— Histor's Guy (@Alec_Eiffel85) August 11, 2021
Later, the person behind the Last Blairite account added that he had “no problem” with the insult but wanted Lewis to define his policy more explicitly.
Absolutely no problem with @labourlewis calling me a moron. It’s Twitter I’ve been called worse. What is worrying though is that nearly a week later Clive still couldn’t answer ‘what are green jobs’? After his huge fumble on #bbcaq you’d think he would have come up with an answer https://t.co/k6mEfjQ1Uy
— The Last Blairite #TrueLabour (@LastBlairite) August 11, 2021
Lewis is yet to respond.
Having strong policies to combat climate change can only be a good thing. Calling those who scrutinise them “morons” though? Not a great look.
