‘It is not the function of the police to patrol our minds’ – Peter Hitchens on free speech
Here’s an interview that is well worth watching as right-wing columnist Peter Hitchens attacks the right-wing behaviour of UK police after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
That’s correct – he’s a right-winger but he absolutely opposes the arrest of people who were merely exercising their right to free speech by calling for the end of the monarchy.
His comments on attempts to reverse the relationship between the state and the individual are particularly interesting.
And he bemoans the failure to understand how authority is exercised in a free country – by consent. Doesn’t that indicate that the UK under the current crop of Tories isn’t free?
Also interesting is his comment on the way people have started to attack others – not on the basis of what those others have said, but on what they believe those others to have said (or what they can get others to believe).
The common thread? Intolerance of dissent.
Here’s the clip:
We’re living in dangerous times for media like This Site.
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Here are four ways to be sure you’re among the first to know what’s going on.
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (in the left margin). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
The Livingstone Presumption is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
A ‘stopped clock’ moment for Hitchens (though I doubt whether he gets it right as often as twice a day).
http://jakemaverick.blogspot.com/
intolerance of dissent? they’re ou to get me again, might not be around for much longer…but i never get this ‘consent’ bit. when do they ever ask for consent? raping people with cameras? smashing into homes? stealing stuff? beating and violently abducting people? murder? i dnt see any real diff between that and in the usa
It’s not the first time Peter Hitchens has impressed me. Even though I have a tendency towards socialism and admired Marx’s work and thinking I would not describe myself as a socialist. Neither am I a true capitalist and am certainly vehemently opposed to corporatisation and privatisation.
He reminds me of someone else I admired who sadly passed away some years back.
He is forthright in his beliefs. He is knowledgeable on what he speaks of. He is unafraid to speak his mind. He sincerely believes in his opinions. He has both honesty and integrity.
(Probably the reason why I supported Corbyn and rely on your site for my news)
I’ll leave you to work out who he reminds me off.