Needless to say they're tying themselves in knots trying to find a suitable redefinition* of something that seems perfectly obvious. To my mind, and probably most people's minds, extremism is simply violence or the threat of violence.
Anything else is just free speech or public protest - possibly abusive and ignorant free speech but that's not the same as extremism. If free speech and public protest becomes "extremism", we're on a very slippery slope indeed.
But the government wants to include anything that "undermines UK democracy", an absurdly vague concept that could include just about anything.
Would rallies in support of Gaza be caught in the net? Or attacks on the government? Or trade union activities? All sorts of routine grassroots protest could be outlawed.
Civil liberties groups and lawyers have already pointed out how dangerous the new law could be, but the government is notorious for ignoring expert advice and going its own sweet way.
*The proposed redefinition of extremism runs as follows (new redefinition on March 13): "the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance" that aims to "negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others" or "undermine, overturn or replace the UK's system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights."
'undermines U.K. democracy'? Better start with themselves.
ReplyDeleteHelen: Absolutely. How much influence do any of us have over the government?
DeleteAbsolutely none...just look at the protests on going to war with Iraq...the people were right, government wrong, and look at the consequences.
DeleteHelen: Quite so. Another example: Northern Ireland voted against Brexit but we're saddled with it whether we like it or not.
DeleteI think I agree with your definition of extremism. I think it needs something with violence or its threat. That seems like a good starting point. I also understand the concept of being 'anti-democracy' is probably the government's attempt of something on that wavelength. So, it isn't your trade unions, or anti-war protestors ... it's thugs and fascist types.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that protests from Gaza, on their own are perfectly acceptable, often involve flat-out support for Hamas and the rise of nasty levels of antisemitism in our society.
Liam: Yes, thugs and fascists are the extremists who need to be dealt with, but I think being anti-democracy is something much broader than that. It includes things like policy decisions made without consultation or party donors being given knighthoods.
DeleteYes, I agree then Nick. Anti-democracy is just too broad and vague.
DeleteFor Liam critisising Palestinians seems to be ok , but critisising Israel is immediately considered as Antisemitism. Nick knows me very well, I'm an old Jewish woman , my husband an old Palestinian Médecin sans Frontières, so Liam maybe sometimes listen to people who are concerned and know the problem better than you. I read what you wrote about Gaza on your blog and I was shocked.
DeleteNick I agree with you and here in Germany it is nearly a crime. critisising Israel. I demonstrate against the Israel government because I am a Jew, I do not want to support the ethnic cleaning going on in Gaza. Saïd lost more than a hundred family members and friends.
Hannah
Hannah: That's terrible that Saïd has lost over 100 family members and friends. How can that possibly be seen as Israel's self-defence? As you say, ethnic cleansing is what's really going on. And of course it's okay to criticise Israel, that's not the same as criticising Israelis. Re Liam's views, I'll leave him to respond.
DeleteThe government everywhere is always wanting more control.
ReplyDeleteMary: Too true. Can't have the hoi polloi getting above themselves!
DeleteLiz says "It is terrifying how much control the government wants to take of the people."
ReplyDeleteLiz: It is. They'd love to totally quash any dissent and pursue any policy they fancied without any opposition.
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