Mr. Straw is part of the problem, imo.

There's a lawful vs chaotic dichotomy going on - Mr. Straw started out lawful conservative, but then found out about a different set of laws he could leverage into a position of power.

It's a similar but different power leverage being exercised elsewhere by a new generation. Feeling excluded by more usual measures like achievement or talent, they've taken to using social taboos and bullying to gain power.

It's vaguely annoying to watch, but it's best ignored. The very lack of talent that people who use social manoeuvres to get to the top means the groups they dominate won't be very important or effective, unless it's law making directly. I'll get worried then. I'm fairly sanguine about node.js conferences.