The polygamy debate has hit British airwaves. And it is getting messy.
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa quietly married his third wife last month. The BBC ran a piece calling it a 'cultural tradition'. The Guardian followed suit. But the backlash was immediate.
Lobby sources tell me the real story is not about Ramaphosa's personal life. It is about the breakdown of the liberal commentariat's cultural consensus.
Here is the state of play. On one side, you have the 'cultural relativists'. They argue that criticising polygamy in South Africa is colonialist. On the other, the 'universalists' who say women's rights must come first regardless of tradition.
The government is watching the polls. Labour MPs are nervous. A senior Labour backbencher told me: 'We are scared of being painted as the party that hates brown people's traditions. But we are also scared of being soft on women's rights.'
The Tories are loving it. They see an opportunity to split the progressive vote. One Conservative strategist said: 'We will push this. It makes Labour look confused.'
The real power play is happening behind the scenes. Number 10 has ordered a review of how the BBC covers cultural practices. They want to avoid the 'colonialist' label while maintaining British values.
But here is the leak that matters. The FCDO has set up a working group on 'polygamy and moral foreign policy'. It is being chaired by the permanent secretary. The terms of reference are classified.
What this means for you. The polygamy debate is not going away. It is a proxy for bigger battles: identity politics, the limits of multiculturalism, and the role of the state in personal relationships.
Watch for the next round of polling. If the public swings against cultural defence of polygamy, expect Labour to pivot. Hard.
In the lobbies, the word is that the moral foreign policy review will be leaked within a fortnight. Sources say it will recommend a 'middle way' that neither condemns nor endorses polygamy outright. That is a fudge. But fudges are what keep coalitions together.
For now, the narrative is controlled by the broadcasters. But not for long. The game is shifting.
