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Candice Holdsworth

Writing

Columns and essays for Spiked and The Spectator, newest first. Each link opens the piece where it was published.

2025

  1. Spiked Online, David Walliams deserves the presumption of innocenceThe article argues that David Walliams deserves a fair hearing and presumption of innocence before his career is destroyed based on allegations alone. The author contends that modern society has abandoned this fundamental principle, creating a mob atmosphere similar to historical witch-hunts, and notes a broader cultural problem of unfair suspicion directed at men and boys.
  2. Spiked Online, The turn against toleranceThe article argues that both left-wing and right-wing political movements in Britain are abandoning tolerance and embracing authoritarianism in different forms. While the left imposes policies through compulsion and speech codes, the right is adopting ethnic nationalism and racial essentialism, representing a broader rejection of Enlightenment values. The author, drawing on experience living under apartheid in South Africa, warns that these developments threaten fundamental liberal democracy and individual liberty.
  3. Spiked Online, We need to cause a stink about the ban on wet wipesThe author criticizes Labour's planned ban on plastic wet wipes from 2027, arguing it will make parenting unnecessarily harder while representing paternalistic elitism. She contends that wet wipes are a valuable innovation that has reduced domestic labor, and that the exemption for medical use proves non-biodegradable wipes are superior, making the ban unfairly target ordinary families while environmental advocates show contempt for practical everyday necessities.
  4. Spiked Online, Is it still safe to give birth in the NHS?The NHS faces a £27 billion legal bill for maternity negligence claims since 2019, exceeding its entire newborn care budget, indicating systemic failures in maternal healthcare. The article argues that the NHS fails to respect women's agency during labour, dismisses their concerns, and inappropriately prioritizes non-intervention approaches over necessary medical care. Multiple documented cases demonstrate widespread issues with understaffing, poor midwife-doctor communication, and inadequate post-natal support.
  5. Spiked Online, The queering of the Science MuseumThe article criticizes the Science Museum for incorporating identity politics and LGBT-focused programming, particularly a tour claiming Lego bricks are 'heteronormative,' arguing this represents a misguided focus on social issues rather than science. The author contends that the museum increasingly avoids presenting scientific history and figures prominently, instead emphasizing colonialism, slavery, and climate concerns, which undermines its educational mission.
  6. Spiked Online, The Taliban is erasing Afghan womenThe Taliban has implemented a new decree banning windows in residential buildings and prohibiting NGOs from employing women, representing an escalation of systematic oppression against Afghan women since returning to power in 2021. The article argues that Western sanctions and boycotts are ineffective deterrents, and that Western political elites' concerns about cultural imperialism have prevented sustained international condemnation of the regime's human rights abuses.

2024

  1. Spiked Online, How identitarian dogma captured Scientific AmericanThe article argues that Scientific American magazine has been corrupted by identitarian ideology, as exemplified by departing editor Laura Helmuth's inflammatory anti-Trump remarks and the publication's promotion of claims about gender and biological sex that lack scientific basis. The author contends that the magazine has abandoned scientific rigor in favor of ideological positions on gender, race, and COVID-19, representing a broader problem of ideological capture in mainstream institutions.
  2. Spiked Online, The plight of Afghan women can no longer be ignoredThe article argues that the Taliban's systematic oppression of Afghan women, exemplified by cases like Bibi Nazdana's forced marriage, demonstrates that not all cultures deserve equal moral standing. The author contends that it is neither racist nor intolerant to judge cultural practices against universal standards of human rights and dignity, using the distinction between immutable race and changeable culture to defend this position.
  3. Spiked Online, Where is the solidarity with Afghanistan’s women?Afghan women face severe oppression under Taliban rule through restrictions on public speech, appearance, and freedoms, yet international organizations inadequately condemn these abuses. The article criticizes the UN and various governments for prioritizing diplomatic engagement with the Taliban over advocating for women's rights, arguing this naive approach ignores the Taliban's demonstrated history of brutality toward women.
  4. Spiked Online, Kirstie Allsopp was right to let her teen son go interrailingThe article defends Kirstie Allsopp's decision to let her 15-year-old son travel across Europe independently, arguing that social services intervention was unjustified government overreach. The author contends that modern parenting has become excessively restrictive compared to previous generations, and that allowing teenagers freedom and independence is essential for their healthy development rather than a form of neglect.

2023

  1. Spiked Online, Why can’t ‘intersectional feminists’ condemn Hamas’s misogyny?The article criticizes intersectional feminist organizations and Western women's groups for failing to condemn or downplaying sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas during the October 7 attacks on Israeli women. The author argues this represents a fundamental hypocrisy in feminist activism, where anti-Israel sentiment supersedes the principle of believing and supporting women victims of sexual assault.
  2. Spiked Online, The dangerous obsession with ‘natural’ childbirthThe article critiques the natural-birth movement's influence on maternity care, arguing that its glorification of unmedicated childbirth has created a culture where healthcare workers dismiss women's pain and deny them needed pain relief. The author contends this contradicts feminist principles by forcing women to suffer unnecessarily and enabling medical professionals to ignore women's legitimate healthcare needs during labor and postpartum recovery.
  3. Spiked Online, Pearl Davis: a troll made by outrage cultureThe article argues that Pearl Davis and similar trolling influencers gain power through outrage culture, with each condemnation and media appearance amplifying their reach. Rather than calling for bans and censorship, the author contends that ignoring these provocateurs is the most effective response, as their appeal is primarily to adolescents who will naturally outgrow such extremist content.
  4. The Spectator, In defence of redheadsThe author argues that red hair has become an unfair target for criticism and prejudice, particularly intensified by negative media coverage of Prince Harry. She traces historical roots of anti-red hair sentiment to medieval superstitions and ethnic prejudices while defending red hair as a distinguishing characteristic that attracts interesting people and requires developing personal resilience.
  5. Spiked Online, #MeToo is ruining the lives of teenage boysThe article argues that the #MeToo movement has created an overly punitive culture in schools where normal teenage romantic experimentation is being reinterpreted as sexual harassment and assault. Using the case of a 14-year-old boy accused of inappropriate touching who faced suspension, police investigation, and severe social ostracism, the author contends that adolescent boys' lives are being destroyed by excessive cultural shifts that fail to distinguish between innocent awkwardness and genuine predatory behavior.
  6. Spiked Online, It’s time to stop saying ‘her penis’The author argues that media outlets use the phrase 'her penis' when reporting on sex crimes by trans-identified offenders, prioritizing preferred pronouns over factual accuracy. She contends this practice distorts reporting, obscures that these crimes are committed by men, and represents media deference to trans ideology over journalistic objectivity, exemplified by coverage of convicted rapist Isla Bryson.

2022

  1. Spiked Online, Why is the New Scientist denying biological reality?The article critiques the New Scientist magazine for adopting gender-inclusive language that replaces 'women' with 'people' when discussing menstruation and pregnancy, arguing this obscures biological reality and scientific precision. The author contends that this ideologically-driven language shift has been imposed without scientific scrutiny and is causing scientists to self-censor due to fear of professional retaliation.
  2. Spiked Online, Eddie Izzard has no place on an all-women shortlistThe article argues that comedian Eddie Izzard, a transgender woman, should not be eligible for Labour's all-women shortlist because such shortlists should be reserved for biological women. The author contends that while all-women shortlists are questionable in politics, if Labour maintains them, including self-identifying trans women defeats their purpose and betrays women in the party like Rosie Duffield who reject gender self-identification.
  3. Spiked Online, Schools should cultivate free thinking, not enforce conformityThe article argues that schools are failing to cultivate free thinking by punishing a student for questioning transgender ideology and isolating her for her views. The author contends that trans activists have created a climate of fear and censorship in schools, where teachers self-censor and students are afraid to speak up, allowing bullies to dominate discourse rather than fostering genuine intellectual debate.
  4. Spiked Online, The Shrewsbury scandal shames the NHSThe Shrewsbury NHS maternity scandal, which resulted in over 200 baby deaths and nine maternal deaths, was driven by hospitals' ideological obsession with natural birth imposed by senior medical bodies. Staff were unable to voice safety concerns due to toxic workplace cultures that punished dissent, forcing bereaved families to push for accountability rather than the NHS implementing internal reform.

2021

  1. Spiked Online, Children suffer when adults can’t speak outThe article argues that excessive concern about causing offense is undermining child safeguarding efforts, using the case of social worker Sonia Appleby who faced retaliation for raising concerns about rushed gender treatments. The author contends that inability to discuss difficult subjects openly—whether about gender identity or institutional abuse—creates environments where children become vulnerable to exploitation.
  2. Spiked Online, Fearmongering is no way to win over vaccine refuseniksThe article criticizes fear-based government advertising campaigns designed to increase vaccine uptake, arguing they are manipulative, counterproductive, and corrosive to social trust. The author contends that appealing to people's reason and addressing their concerns directly is far more effective than shame-based tactics, which research shows actually increase vaccine hesitancy and government distrust.
  3. Spiked Online, The lockdown on childhoodThe article argues that lockdown policies have caused significant harm to children's development and early-year growth, with schools implementing excessive restrictions that disrupted education and social interaction at crucial developmental stages. The author criticizes policymakers for failing to prioritize children's wellbeing during the pandemic and calls for a broader reassessment of how pandemic policies affected children beyond just Covid data.
  4. Spiked Online, No, children are not budding racistsThe article criticizes parents who expose young children to political and ideological content around race, gender, and social justice, arguing this represents an inappropriate intrusion of adult culture wars into childhood. The author contends that children are not naturally racist and do not require ideological correction, and that such approaches prioritize parental virtue-signaling over children's genuine developmental needs.
  5. Spiked Online, Let kids run freeThe article argues that modern parents are excessively protective, keeping children indoors and supervised until age 11, compared to age 9 for previous generations. The author contends that unsupervised outdoor play and face-to-face interaction with peers are essential for developing independence, social skills, and confidence, and that parents should embrace a 'free range' approach to allow children to mature naturally rather than sheltering them from the world.
  6. Spiked Online, White people’s guilty pleasureThe article argues that contemporary woke anti-racism functions as a punitive ideology offering perpetual guilt rather than meaningful change, resembling religious penance more than genuine reform. The author contends that claims of biologically-determined racism contradict both historical evidence and figures like Nelson Mandela, who demonstrated that people can change, and that modern anti-racism movements undermine universal human solidarity by promoting divisive concepts of 'unconscious bias' and conditional 'allyship.'
  7. Spiked Online, In praise of MumsnetThe article defends Mumsnet as a valuable platform for frank and open discussion among parents, particularly on controversial topics like gender identity. It criticizes trans activists for attempting to silence the platform through campaigns against its advertising revenue, arguing that mothers deserve spaces to discuss complex issues without fear of censorship or accusations of intolerance.
  8. Spiked Online, Prince Harry only wants fawning coverageThe article argues that Prince Harry's criticism of the British media is hypocritical because he only participates in friendly interviews and avoids real scrutiny. The author contends that the media serves a necessary accountability function for the unelected monarchy and that Harry's desire for favorable coverage reveals he cannot tolerate legitimate journalistic examination of his position and privilege.
  9. Spiked Online, Women’s healthcare cannot be ‘gender neutral’The article argues that while medical institutions should be respectful and inclusive, adopting gender-neutral terminology in women's healthcare creates dangerous confusion and undermines clinical communication. The author contends that precise anatomical language like 'breast' is essential for detecting serious conditions and that clear speech is necessary for clear thinking in medical contexts.
  10. Spiked Online, Lockdowns are weakening family lifeThe article argues that lockdowns are placing unsustainable pressure on parents who must simultaneously work, homeschool children, and manage household responsibilities, leading to exhaustion, mental health deterioration, and increased eating disorders among children. The author contends that authorities are inadequately addressing the psychological toll of lockdowns and lack clear plans for reopening schools and supporting families.
  11. Spiked Online, We need more scepticism, not lessThe article argues that intense criticism and vilification of lockdown sceptics, including prominent scientists like Sunetra Gupta and John Ioannidis, undermines free inquiry and reasoned debate necessary for democracy. While some sceptics made incorrect predictions, the author contends they raised valid concerns about lockdown's collateral harms and deserve space for dissenting scientific opinions without fear of professional ostracism.

2020

  1. Spiked Online, Against the cult of natural childbirthThe article argues against the ideological promotion of natural childbirth in UK maternity wards, citing the Ockenden Report which revealed that hospitals prioritized natural birth over patient safety and choice. The author contends that women are being denied pain relief and caesarean sections against their wishes, resulting in preventable injuries and deaths, and calls for healthcare providers to respect individual autonomy rather than impose birth ideology on patients.
  2. Spiked Online, Why aren’t more artists standing up to lockdown?The article argues that prominent artists and celebrities have largely failed to publicly criticize lockdown despite its severe impact on the theatre and live music industries. While some, like Andrew Lloyd Webber, have spoken out, most established performers remain silent, instead engaging in performative activism on safer political issues, abandoning the emerging musicians and venues that depend on a thriving live performance scene.
  3. Spiked Online, The Tate is insulting its audienceThe author criticizes the Tate Modern's decision to postpone Philip Guston exhibitions due to concerns about misinterpretation of his KKK imagery, arguing this represents institutional cowardice and a failure to trust audiences. The article defends Guston's artistic intent to explore the banality of evil and contends that museums should remain zones of free expression where difficult ideas can be engaged with openly.
  4. Spiked Online, I’m a woman, not a ‘person who bleeds’The article critiques the use of gender-neutral language by brands and organizations to describe distinctly female biological experiences like menstruation, breastfeeding, and childbirth. The author argues that terms such as 'people who bleed,' 'chestfeeding,' and 'birthing parents' are inauthentic, alienating to women, and fail to serve either women or transgender individuals while obscuring meaningful discussion about women's health.
  5. Spiked Online, Ordinary people know what’s best for themThe article argues that ordinary people are better positioned than policymakers to make decisions about their own lives and communities, and that indefinite lockdown restrictions are unsustainable and harmful. It contends that government should trust citizens to do the right thing rather than imposing blanket policies that fail to account for complex individual circumstances and interconnected communal relationships.
  6. Spiked Online, Once lost, freedom is hard to regainThe article argues that civil liberties sacrificed during emergencies like the Covid-19 pandemic are rarely fully restored, citing historical examples such as post-9/11 counter-terror laws. The author warns against trading fundamental freedoms for security and calls for citizens to actively pressure politicians to protect civil liberties rather than relying on them to voluntarily restore restricted freedoms.
  7. Spiked Online, Making community life a crimeThe article argues that UK COVID-19 restrictions are criminalizing essential human social interaction and community bonding, causing severe damage to mental and physical health through enforced isolation. The author contends that the government's fear-based messaging ignores well-documented health harms of loneliness while failing to acknowledge that people's need for social connection during stress is a basic human urge, not selfish behavior.
  8. Spiked Online, Don’t you dare call me a ‘womxn’The article criticizes the use of 'womxn' as an artificial and unpronounceable term that institutions adopt to appear inclusive but ultimately comes across as patronizing performative virtue-signaling. The author argues that the term fails to resonate with actual women or the marginalized groups it supposedly supports, and reflects a broader problem with identity politics' obsessive focus on language policing rather than substantive solutions.
  9. Spiked Online, How gender-neutral language excludes womenThe article argues that gender-neutral language used in medical contexts, such as 'individuals with a cervix' instead of 'women,' paradoxically excludes women by using impersonal terminology that doesn't reflect how people actually identify themselves. The author contends that this approach undermines decades of progress in addressing women's health issues and advocates for more empathetic, tailored language that speaks authentically to different groups' specific needs rather than applying one-size-fits-all gender-neutral phrasing.
  10. Spiked Online, Why are women in labour being denied pain relief?The article argues that many NHS healthcare professionals are ideologically opposed to medical pain relief during childbirth, with some promoting the belief that labour pain is beneficial and a necessary 'rite of passage'. This 'cult of natural childbirth' has resulted in women being denied epidurals against official guidelines, causing unnecessary trauma and even deterring women from having more children.

2019

  1. Spiked Online, Academics anonymousThe Journal of Controversial Ideas launches with anonymous article publishing to address increasing restrictions on academic freedom and free speech on university campuses. The journal's founders—Peter Singer, Jeff McMahan, and Francesca Minerva—argue that social media, postmodern thinking, and campus culture have created an environment where academics self-censor, particularly young scholars in vulnerable career positions. The article explores whether anonymity is an effective strategy or whether universities instead need explicit institutional commitments to free expression and open debate.

2018

  1. Spiked Online, Advertisers do not control our mindsThe author argues that proposed bans on gender stereotypes in advertising by UK regulators demonstrate a patronizing view of consumers and an incorrect assumption that ads shape behavior rather than reflect existing preferences. She contends that advertising restrictions are more coercive than advertising itself and that such regulations stifle creativity without addressing real societal challenges.
  2. Spiked Online, No, ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ is not ‘rapey’The article defends the 1944 song 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' against accusations that its lyrics promote sexual coercion, arguing that critics misinterpret the playful dynamic between the two characters. The author contends that removing the song from radio airplay is an act of censorship driven by a vocal minority misapplying modern #MeToo concerns to a historically-contextual love song about flirtation and social convention-breaking.
  3. Spiked Online, Women journalists: stop playing the sexism cardThe article argues that women journalists should stop attributing all negative criticism to sexism, using Andrew Neil's tweet toward Carole Cadwalladr as an example. The author contends that while incivility on Twitter exists, it is not inherently misogynistic and that women in journalism have greater opportunities than ever before, making it inaccurate to claim the BBC or broader media institutions are failing women.
  4. Spiked Online, How we’re ruining young mindsJonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff's book examines how American universities have adopted a 'safetyism' culture that prioritizes emotional safety over free speech, with students increasingly shutting down uncomfortable ideas as harmful. The authors attribute this shift to cognitive distortions, risk-averse administrators, and potentially rising anxiety and depression linked to social media usage among younger generations arriving on campus after 2013.
  5. Spiked Online, Bring back the mansize tissuesThe author argues that companies like Kleenex and Waitrose capitulating to social media pressure to rename 'mansize' tissues and 'gentleman's roll' sandwiches represents an intolerant overreach by gender-neutral ideologues. The article contends that gender expression is normal, people should be free to choose products they like, and forced gender-neutrality makes society less flexible and more reactionary.
  6. Spiked Online, Women vs #MeToo miserablismThis article reviews a WORLDwrite documentary celebrating women's remarkable progress over the past century, arguing that modern feminism's victim-focused narratives like #MeToo undermine this achievement. The author contends that women today should embrace confidence, sexual freedom, and agency rather than accepting a politics of fear, drawing contrast with the strength-based messaging of historical Suffragettes.
  7. Spiked Online, Who’s afraid of postmodernism?The author defends postmodern philosophy against criticism from the recent academic hoax, arguing that postmodernism and identity politics are philosophically opposed rather than aligned. Postmodern thinkers like Foucault were actually anti-authoritarian and libertarian-leaning, interested in cultivating difference and tolerance, not the censorious identity politics they're now blamed for enabling.
  8. Spiked Online, The misanthropy of the Stanford prison experimentThe article challenges the scientific validity and conclusions of the Stanford prison experiment, arguing that Zimbardo deliberately manipulated participants and coached them to produce predetermined results supporting prison reform rather than demonstrating humanity's inherent capacity for barbarism. Evidence from participant statements and archived documents reveals that guards' authoritarian behavior was not spontaneous and prisoners were prevented from leaving, suggesting the distress observed resulted from coercive conditions rather than revealing fundamental truths about human nature.
  9. Spiked Online, The cultural appropriation jerksThe article defends Jamie Oliver against accusations of cultural appropriation for his 'punchy jerk rice' product, arguing that culinary reinterpretation and fusion cuisine are legitimate forms of cultural exchange rather than disrespectful appropriation. The author contends that identity politics creates divisive intolerance by falsely claiming ownership of recipes and cultural practices, when in reality food has always evolved through cross-cultural influence and experimentation.
  10. Spiked Online, Can poetry survive outrage culture?The Nation magazine's apology for publishing Anders Carlson-Wee's poem 'How-To' exemplifies how social media outrage culture threatens artistic freedom and publisher integrity. The article argues that the poem itself was innocuous and empathetic, but editors caved to online pressure rather than defending editorial decisions, undermining free expression and artistic exploration.
  11. Spiked Online, What’s so bad about ‘cultural appropriation’?The author criticizes the Cambridge Dictionary for defining cultural appropriation as cultural theft without acknowledging the concept is highly contested and politically charged. She argues that culture is fluid and not owned by specific groups, making the notion of cultural appropriation nonsensical, and contends that dictionaries should reflect the disputed nature of partisan terms rather than endorsing one political perspective.
  12. Spiked Online, Peter Rabbit falls to the outrage mobThe article criticizes the #BoycottPeterRabbit campaign by food-allergy groups who objected to a scene depicting an allergic character being attacked with berries. The author argues that outrage mobs are pressuring companies to censor harmless fictional content, and that children benefit from understanding that dark humor and scary elements in stories are not literal endorsements of harmful behavior.

2017

  1. Spiked Online, In defence of getting pissed with GrannyCandice Holdsworth critiques public health campaigns that discourage giving alcohol to elderly relatives during Christmas, arguing they are patronizing and reflect a broader mistrust of individual autonomy. She contends that moderate drinking with family is a legitimate pleasure that shouldn't be policed by health-conscious crusaders or younger generations, and that such campaigns unfairly target elderly people as easy targets for broader attacks on drinkers.
  2. Spiked Online, May: a leader who stands for nothingThe article argues that Theresa May's disastrous 2017 election performance stems from her fundamental lack of political conviction and ideology rather than just her advisers' mistakes. May's passive leadership style, demonstrated by her meek support for Remain before switching to Brexit and her reluctant use of campaign slogans she reportedly opposed, reveals her to be a directionless technocrat incapable of providing authentic leadership in an era demanding strong ideological positioning.
  3. Spiked Online, No, Joe, drunk sex is not rapeThe author argues against Joe Biden's claim that any sexual activity involving a drunk woman constitutes rape, contending that it infantilizes women and removes their agency. She distinguishes between consensual drunk sex and incapacitation, arguing that modern sexual freedom should allow adults to make their own decisions about intoxicated intimacy.
  4. Spiked Online, Retweeting ISIS is now a criminal offenceA 57-year-old woman was convicted and sentenced for retweeting an ISIS audio message, raising concerns about the criminalization of online speech. The article argues that while her views are abhorrent, prosecuting her undermines free speech principles and that open expression of extremist ideas is preferable to censorship for combating radicalization.
  5. Spiked Online, UK immigration laws are stifling cultureUK immigration laws have become excessively restrictive for international artists since 2008, making it difficult for talented non-EU artists to enter the country and perform or exhibit work. The article argues that bureaucratic visa requirements unfairly penalize artists based on income and education credentials rather than artistic merit, ultimately harming UK cultural life. The author contends that more liberal immigration policies are necessary to maintain a cosmopolitan society and vibrant arts scene.
  6. Spiked Online, Little girls can’t be feminist iconsThe article criticizes the media and feminist commentators for elevating a five-year-old girl named Eva to 'feminist icon' status based on her precocious comments about gender equality. The author argues this represents a misguided politicization of childhood and an infantilizing approach to feminism that inappropriately uses children as political tools rather than allowing them to simply be children.
  7. Spiked Online, Even Choudary’s friends must have free speechThe article argues that while the views of imprisoned Anjem Choudary supporters are reprehensible, imprisoning them for speech rather than actual terrorist actions violates free speech principles. The author contends that banning or imprisoning extremists is counterproductive and that society should instead rely on open political debate and public opposition to defeat their ideologies.

2016

  1. Spiked Online, From Protein World to Heinz Beanz: the ASA has lost the plotThe article criticizes the Advertising Standards Authority for banning a Heinz Beanz advertisement that encouraged people to tap on tin cans, claiming it posed health risks based on only nine complaints. The author argues this exemplifies excessive censorship driven by small groups of activists and contributes to a broader culture of political correctness that regulates speech based on hypothetical dangers rather than genuine public concern.
  2. Spiked Online, Strictly race row: no one is safe from the Twitch-huntersThe article critiques social media users who accused Strictly Come Dancing of racism after two black contestants were voted off consecutively, arguing there is no objective evidence for this claim. The author argues that such accusations reflect confirmation bias among those with racialized outlooks and represent a dangerous witch-hunting culture that abandons principles of presumption of innocence.
  3. Spiked Online, ‘Cultural appropriation’ is really cultural appreciationThe article argues that 'cultural appropriation' is a misnomer for what is actually cultural appreciation and admiration between different cultures. The author contends that the concept is weaponized by activists to enforce ideological conformity through social media shaming, and that apologizing to outrage mobs only strengthens their power while weakening artistic freedom and cultural exchange.
  4. Spiked Online, Clinton and May: the hollow women of politicsThe article argues that while Theresa May and Hillary Clinton's rise to power is presented as a symbolic victory for women, their lack of substantive political vision and coherent principles makes their advancement meaningless. The author contends that celebrating these female leaders based primarily on their gender reflects modern politics' troubling obsession with identity and appearance over genuine policy substance.
  5. Spiked Online, Kim K’s topless selfie: this is vanity, not feminismThe author argues that Kim Kardashian's topless selfie, framed by supporters like Emily Ratajkowski as a feminist statement about female sexuality, is actually an act of vanity and attention-seeking. The piece critiques how identity politics allows self-serving actions to be presented as meaningful political statements based purely on the performer's identity, and contrasts this with genuine feminist activism in oppressive regimes like Iran.
  6. The Spectator, Rhodes Must Fall activists have become the very thing they hateThe article criticizes Rhodes Must Fall activists, particularly Ntokozo Qwabe, for humiliating a white waitress in Cape Town by refusing to tip while making political statements about land redistribution. The author argues the activists demonstrated profound hypocrisy by ignoring power dynamics and bullying a powerless working-class person while claiming to champion social justice, ultimately becoming the oppressors they claim to oppose.
  7. The Spectator, Why are feminists so reluctant to offer practical advice to other women?The author argues that contemporary feminism has succeeded in opening career opportunities for women but has failed to provide practical guidance about balancing motherhood with professional ambition. Rather than offering candid advice about the biological realities women face, modern feminists focus on abstract philosophical discussions while ignoring the concrete challenges women encounter when entering their 30s and considering having children. The article contends that women need honest mentorship from an early age to make informed decisions about career timing and family planning.
  8. Spiked Online, Don’t reduce Rand or Arendt to their sexThe article argues that teaching Ayn Rand and Hannah Arendt as part of a feminism curriculum misrepresents both thinkers, who explicitly rejected feminism and did not define themselves primarily through gender. The author contends that Rand's real contribution to discussions about gender is her vision of intellectual and moral equality between men and women, rather than victim-focused feminist narratives.
  9. Spiked Online, Mansplaining: an affront to universalismThe author argues that the concept of 'mansplaining' is a self-contradictory term that unfairly pathologizes men for simply voicing opinions while reinforcing sexism. She criticizes feminists for attacking the BBC's Sherlock for supporting the Suffragettes, contending that condescension is a personality trait not exclusive to men, and that historical movements like women's suffrage involved support from both men and women.

2015

  1. Spiked Online, Treating models like airheadsThe article criticizes a petition by model Rosie Nelson calling for legal weight monitoring of models, arguing that such laws are paternalistic and would infantilize women by assuming they cannot manage their own lives. The author contends that while thin modeling standards are unhealthy, inflexible laws are unenforceable and counterproductive, and would undermine the autonomy and judgment of women in the industry.

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