Friday 19 March 2010

Dastardly plots

Back in the 1970s, I was out canvassing in Barry when one resident told me that he wouldn't vote for Plaid, because "that Gwynfor Evans has got a guerrilla army in the hills". I pointed out politely that Gwynfor was a fairly vociferous pacifist, not exactly the type to lead an army of any sort, to be told in no uncertain terms, "that's just a front to cover up what he's actually up to".

It's the sort of way in which people, when faced with a fact which doesn't support their own preconceived notions, simply turn that fact upside down in some way, so as not to disturb the equilibrium of their beliefs.

The incident came to mind last week when I came across a UKIP supporter. He told me that devolution was all a dastardly plot by the 'Common Market' to divide and conquer the UK. I pointed out that, actually, Plaid had been agitating for a Welsh Parliament for at least 80 years, well before anyone had ever thought about establishing the EU, only to be told "but no-one took it seriously until we joined the Common Market and 'they' started pushing it".

There's not much that one can say in response to that, is there?

3 comments:

Unknown said...

People believe what they want to believe.
The Saxon meaning of "belief" is:
a strong wish.
Wishing something to be true is very far from the actuality.

Cibwr said...

I am repeatedly told that Plaid's democratic credentials are just a front for wishing to create a soviet state in Wales, that we actually want to increase poverty to make people slaves of the state. Unfortunately I think the person spouting such nonsense actually believes it.

James Dowden said...

If only Gwynfor had had an army...