British freedom to express opinion
Thursday 6th August 2009, 7:00AM BST.
LETTER: I read the unsigned letter (July 29) condemning Helen Foulkes’s involvement with the BNP, deploring her admiration for Enoch Powell and giving her a lesson on what being British means.
I have no connection with the BNP or sympathies with its policies but one aspect of being British is having an opinion of one’s own and the freedom to express it.
You can, however, guarantee that someone will attempt to curtail that freedom – I have experienced it myself many times.
Some readers will know I firmly believe Britain’s 36-year membership of the EU has presented us with astronomical costs, reams of unnecessary regulations, no policy input from Britain or influence by Britain and most definitely no benefits.
Am I seen as a Briton with a genuine and lawful opinion? By most, I think, yes but some accuse me of xenophobia. It is my opinion also that this tiny island is full and that our Government’s acceptance of the EU open borders policy was lunacy.
For this, by some I am branded a racist xenophobic,
One thing I am sure of, is not having a pop at someone and hiding behind “name and address supplied”.
Bob Wydell
Oswestry
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Bob – everynow and then someone requires their details witholding for a variety of reasons, so trying to charm it up into some vague attack on your views is a sign of your paranioa.
Maybe this or that person actually lives in an area where fascists hold a base of power and may really physically attack that person for criticizing them?
Oh, the EU, yes its not a nice organisation wr’re tied to – but do you really think we could survive without being in a big trading group these days? Personally I wouldn’t want to be part of some American thing and the ‘commonwealth’ is a none-runner.
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Well said Bob, lets hope that this thread stays focused on the Freedom of Speech and does not descend to paranoia-politics.
Quite frankly, I admire you putting your name to your letter. I know I wouldn’t because of the paranoia and discrimination such views attract.
Enoch Powell was likewise a victim, the so called ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech being taken out of context for political gains. What is often forgotten is that there were marches on the streets for “Enoch for PM” and his attacks were motivated by the existing conservative hierarchy wish to hold on to their power. Labour likewise joined in to exploit Conservative division.
Ironically, Enoch Powell’s call for stricter immigration controls were enacted. The free entry of Commonwealth Citizens was abolished, yet Mr Powell’s call left him branded as a racist.
Many people have never studied his ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech nor the other speeches that it was in context with. In fact Mr Powell identified that if immigration was not controlled, the existing immigrant population would suffer as public hostility rose to the perceived problem. In that, Mr Powell was in fact raising his concerns for the existing immigrant population that were making a valuable contribution to the UK, and can not be branded as a racist.
What is so often pushed under the carpet is the fact that the UK saw open street war fare on racial lines, such as the Notting Hill Race Riot of 1958, and further riots where immigrants were forced to arm themselves and take up defensive positions in dwellings while they were equally attacked by armed rioters who were throwing petrol bombs, while the police acted with indecision and apathy.
This is what Mr Powell wished to end. It seems that his words are now prophetic toady. A man whos right to Freedom of Speech was ignored. A man mis-understood in his day, but hopefully history will restore his reputation as a brilliant mind.
I merely hope that people will respect the right to Freedom of Speech and debate, rather than push this right under the carpet with our long record of Race Riots and deaths from them.
Next time you stroll down Portobello Road, remind yourself that the pavement was once stained with the blood of racial attacks.
Ignoring those who desire stricter immigration control as racist and therefore there free speech is worthless, is more likely to add to blood on our pavements.
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As DevilsChair quite rightly points out people withold their identity in print for a wide variety of reasons. It could be out of concern for personal safety, or simply modesty and a desire to remain private. As I understand it though, they have to at least provide the Shropshire Star with their details otherwise letters will not be published at all. In that way the letters page is a public forum in which opinions can be exchanged and challenged. The BNP hold views that many in this country disagree strongly with and may even fear. Those who disagree with the BNP should have the right to challenge that organisation’s opinions. They should be able to do so freely without the risk of mockery or insult if they opt not to be named in print. A quick scan of the letters pages this week shows a number of contributions with “name and address supplied” often with regards to quite innoccuous subjects. Those contributors do not receive the same response as those who anonymously challenge the BNP, which to me raises questions as to the lack of balance and consistency. As for Mr Wydell, well his name appears in print so often one wonders if he is on the payroll.
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Well Bob I totally agree with you, and I think that our last Tommy would agree with you too. I also believe that the millions of soldiers who died in WW1 and WW2 would also agree with you. Your freedom of speech is a precious possession as is also your freedom to ignore the rantings of others.
Its about time everyone stopped being so PC and analysing what is said in order to put a label on it. Its what we think and what we say that makes us what we are and we should learn to live with it and not control it.
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We live in a free country and can say what we like with in reason. How the pc lot take it is a matter for them . I always say what i want and always will, if the select few are offended grow a THICKER SKIN.
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Like Simon I’m a bit unsure of what people mean when they say they don’t have freedom of speech in this country?
Many letters are published by the Star from both the left and right perspective, and other readers are able to reply to them. I’d love someone to point out a real case where someone has not been able to express an opinion.
I think what some people are saying is they want to express their views without being challenged, and to me that is a bad idea. Any beliefs must be strong enough to stand up to debate and scrutiny.
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Thank you Meadowmatt for adding a touch of common sense. I do find it odd that a selection of our society hold the view that they can and will say whatever they want to and that it is those that are caused offence by this who are at fault. Not so; anymore than the right to do as one pleases whether it is morally or legally wrong. And how do they defend this “right” to offend? By attacking others with insult, mockery and accusations of being “PC”. Such an attitude is not only indecent, it is uncivilised and pathetic. As for the attitude that those who are offended should grow a thicker skin…how childish. Shall we adopt the same rule to deal with physical attack, robbery, sexual assualt, verbal abuse…of course not! I try to treat my fellow man with respect and courtesy. That does not may me “PC”, that makes me a decent human being.
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If you advocate freedom of speech then you advocate that freedom without conditions attached, this means that those who wish to remain anonymous may also speak freely without a condition that they are only permitted to do so by identifying themselves – freedom of speech for all, including those who wish to remain anonymous.
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Like the letter writer, Mr Wydell, I have also been accused of being ‘racist’ or ‘xenophobic’ by some some people, just because I recognize that Britain cannnot cope with any further influx of immigrants.
Being concerned about immigration isn’t racism – it’s realism.
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I likewise am often refered to a BNP supporter by someone on here, merelt because I feel that they should be listened to. I do not support the BNP with my vote or finances, I merely respect their views and most importantly their right to be heard.
Ironically the said person makes a financial contribution to an extremist political party, but do I go on about that? No, I listen and challenge their views with reasoned debabte rather than spreading paranoia.
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