If there’s anything worse than PC it’s not being PC. As I see it, those who use the term, usually do so derisively and are usually conservative types who want to put down the moral agenda of progressive liberals, those who might consider themselves at the leading edge of contemporary values. By labelling such values PC they’re made to appear frivolous and superficial and therefore of no consequence. Such a put-down can be quite convincing but it can obscure the genuine value that lies behind the so called PC.

I say this in connection with the new Scottish government which to my surprise has began to show itself as quite progressive with some of its legislation and therefore too PC in the eyes of many. The furore over Clause 28 currently is a case in point but there are also other attempts to push through legislation in the following areas (responses from the non-progressives are in brackets).

1. •DIVORCE: Reducing the time scale. (Churches say it will lead to increased family break-up).
   

2. •INCAPABLE ADULTS: Rights extended to relatives regarding medical care and financial affairs (Criticised as leading to euthanasia).
   

3. •GAY RIGHTS: To give same sex relationships equal status (Catholic Church argue promotes homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle).
   

4. •ILLEGITIMACY: Wanting to do away with the legal definition (Said to undermine family values).
   

5. •UNMARRIED FATHERS: To give more rights to them (Might reduce the incentive to get married).
   

6. •ABORTION & CONTRACEPTION: Setting up of more advice centres (Cardinal Winning condemns as offering easy sex).
   

Much of this is being attacked by conservatives as too liberal (PC) but I think it is a genuine attempt to create a more enlightened society by intelligent people who wish to roll back conservatism, in my view a stifling and rancid conservatism which has dogged Scottish society for generations. In some ways the new government, probably unwittingly, has exposed the extent of these backward looking forces lurking in the depths of Scottish culture. I believe this is a good thing. At best it might bring the old society values and the attendant arguments into the open arena and show them for what they are: outmoded, outdated and belonging to another age - the Victorian age essentially.

For the first time I find the issues that are driving the political agenda interesting and personally relevant. Throughout the 70s and 80s the left/right divide held little interest. Now the central issue (UK and Scotland) I see as being between liberals and conservatives and I have no doubt which side of the fence I am on. With a vengeance.