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''I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.'' - Voltaire (1694 -1778)
The above quote is inspired by the subject this week of - Geert Wilders the Dutch MP and his the treatment of him by this country – my country. Last weeks reaction by the Government makes me feel as if I am living in a foreign land. Is this reallythe UK from which he was turned away because 'we' do not like what he says? Is this the same country which so egregiously, for so long, permitted the hate-filled preaching of Abu Hamza, before finally doing something about it?
The above quote is inspired by the subject this week of - Geert Wilders the Dutch MP and his the treatment of him by this country – my country. Last weeks reaction by the Government makes me feel as if I am living in a foreign land. Is this reallythe UK from which he was turned away because 'we' do not like what he says? Is this the same country which so egregiously, for so long, permitted the hate-filled preaching of Abu Hamza, before finally doing something about it?
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Philip Johnston makes the point well in The Daily Telegraph, as do many many more right across the political spectrum. Johnston thinks that the refusal to admit the oddball Dutch MP to Britain yesterday "marks a further retreat from this country's traditions of free speech." He is quite correct; any right-thinking person would agree.
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Over and above the loathsome behaviour of our government, however, is the attitude of Her Majesty's "loyal opposition", the once great Conservative Party, which is reduced to this.
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Did we not hear so very recently from our MPs, a strident dissertation about the "privilege of freedom of speech", enjoyed by Members of Parliament, this being "in truth the privilege of their constituents."
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Well … Mr Wilders is an MP. Or does freedom of speech apply only to Conservative MPs and their constituents?
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For the avoidence of doubt any doubt, I do not agree with the views of Geer Wilders he is clearly bonkers, but the point is however, freedom of speech is a very basic right in any proper democracy.
Peter Troy
Sedgefield. County Durham
Peter Troy
Sedgefield. County Durham
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2 comments:
Truth, Justice and Freedom have largely been abolished under our current government, and now the Tories are following suit in this particular instance, presumably to assuage some kind of preceived, politically incorrect, slight against the Islamic powers in the UK who no doubt feel agrieved that someone may give publicity to truth about what is in the Koran and the extremes it inspires. What a bunch of weak and indulgent politicians we have ruling us and riding rough-shod over the values I mentioned at the beginning of my comment.
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