Diversity, Orwell and the Death of Satire

In this latest episode of Double Jeopardy, Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen are joined by Akua Reindorf KC, a discrimination law expert at Cloisters Chambers, to discuss the Bar Standards Board's proposal to change a core duty of barristers from the requirement that they ‘should not unlawfully discriminate’ (which would be illegal), to a positive duty that they must ‘advance equality, diversity and inclusion in their practices’ (which is not a legal requirement).

The trio explore the implications of this change, and of the challenges it presents, not least because of the contested nature of EDI ideologies. They ask: Is this new duty just the latest manifestation of US racial politics gaslighting a Europe less tuned to its puritanical and divisive world view? And has the Bar Standards Board foolishly fallen victim to transatlantic ideological fashion, in a landgrab that will cause anger, confusion and dissent?

They also look at Labour Party politician David Blunkett’s potential role in leading a government review of sentencing policies, reflecting on his draconian contributions to increased sentencing over decades. Is the news of his potential appointment another nail in the coffin of satire?