The claims about Scruton were truncated quotes and dredging up historical statements. I don't think they significantly misrepresent his views; rather, they leav

The claims about Scruton were truncated quotes and dredging up historical statements. I don't think they significantly misrepresent his views; rather, they leave out the subtlety that lets a certain kind of racist think they have intellectually defensible views. There's a deeply nasty seam in Tory politics like this. Witness Zac Goldsmith's attacks on Khan during the London mayor election - it was racist baiting, and the chap has still gotten re-elected after a brief period out in the cold. Or Boris always going on about letter boxes and bank robbers. It's odious, but it's usually done in a way that can be superficially waved off by psychologically ignored qualifications.