It is true that generally conservatives do not believe in the “perfectibility” of people or institutions, but that is a far cry from thinking that they are “ineducable”, let alone “stupid and useless”. Plus, conservatives of a more libertarian bent would be among the last people in the world to support an authoritarian system. (Many conservatives are certainly willing to become authoritarian if it serves their interests, but so are many liberals.)

Another difference, as far as I can tell, is that people more to the liberal side tend to assume that most social problems are caused by the structures and systems of society, while people more to the conservative side tend to assume that most social problems are caused by bad individual actions and choices that are misguided or outright evil. Of course, this has a profound effect on what they believe is the best way to improve society.

Feminist Avatar — yeah, the Daily Mail does seem to sort of specialize in All True Reports about “My makeover [photo] and breast implants [photo] did nothing to stop my husband for leaving for a 24 year old bartender [photo] and now I am sad and living with cats [photo] JUST LIKE THE FEMINISTS PLANNED FROM THEIR CENTRAL CONTROL TOWER [photo withheld].

Classical liberals believe that humans are perfectable and can learn and grow, whereas conservatives believe that that’s tragically naive. Conservatives believe that “all men are stupid,” unperfectable, ineducable, and therefore great caution must be exercised to ensure that the hoi polloi don’t acutally exercise much influence let alone direct control in a democratic republic. (Better yet, because of man’s essentially “stupid and useless” nature, go for an authoritarian system or perhaps enlightened despotism. At least that’s what conservatives would say.)

Plus, I should add, lawsuits for writing nonsense is an expected and calculated expense in British journalism- it’s part of the game. Can a dody headline sell more than you’ll lose at court? Of course, because you can then cover the court case as well and make money from it.

There is the instance where a woman wrote a NOVEL about women who go on holiday for cheap sex, which was turned into a real life story, much to the author’s dismay.

There was also the time they interviewed three career women with kids about their experiences, and said that the women said they couldn’t have it all, everybody suffered, especially the kids, and they were miserable. They got sued for this one and lost big time- they claimed it was an editorial error (making up quotes is an editorial error?).

But ultimately, controversy means more readers, more links, more money in advertising, etc, etc. So, if this doesn’t sound like Fay Wheldon, there is every chance she didn’t say it.