Tribalism is rampant within Parliament. While it may be inevitable – we all naturally form bonds with those with whom we share underlying values – it becomes detrimental when loyalty turns into blind allegiance regardless of the facts. It leads to politicians ignoring inconvenient data and unwaveringly supporting a cause, even when it makes no sense. And in return, they get to be part of the gang and feel good about themselves.
This is playing out before our eyes in Parliament right now on the issue of abortion. Last summer, MPs passed an amendment to ‘decriminalise’ self-induced abortions right up to birth. This is an extreme position by any objective measure. Supporters of this radical proposal laud it as a step forward in women’s rights. They are part of the tribe that believes a woman’s ‘right to choose’ should have no limits – that female bodily autonomy trumps all.