From the US midterms to the hard right in Britain, empathy has become a dirty word in politics | John Harris
Summary
The article examines political arguments on the right that portray empathy as harmful, linking the phrase “suicidal empathy” to British Reform UK politician Robert Jenrick and ideas circulating among supporters of Donald Trump. It cites U.S. polling on empathy and describes Vice-President JD Vance’s comments on Christian compassion and Pope Leo XIV’s criticism of U.S. attacks on Iran.Key Facts
- Robert Jenrick, Reform UK’s Treasury spokesman, used the phrase “suicidal empathy” in an article about rising benefit costs linked to mental ill-health.
- Jenrick promoted Reform UK plans to cut welfare spending by 25% by 2030.
- The phrase “suicidal empathy” is also the title of a book by Canadian academic Gad Saad, which has an endorsement from Elon Musk.
- Polling by the Public Religion Research Institute found that 84% of registered Democrats and 54% of Republicans agreed that empathy helps build a healthy society.
- The same survey found that 42% of white evangelical Protestants viewed empathy as a foundational moral value, while 54% said empathy can be dangerous.
- In April, Pope Leo XIV criticized U.S. attacks on Iran; Vance responded that the pope should be careful when discussing theology.
- Vance has said Christian compassion should prioritize family, neighbors, and communities before fellow citizens and people elsewhere.
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