One has to be consistent. Either one is for cancel culture or one is against it. And an MP being prevented from fighting the next election over an idiotic letter, however offensive its contents, strikes me as an open and shut case of it.
It would be far better to improve prosecutions for tangible crimes against women, such as harassment and violence.
We need to be honest about what it is for and what it is not. Protecting life and property must come first.
For starters, Khan – London’s Police and Crime Commissioner as well as its Mayor – seems more interested in climate change than crime.
The Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of a man whose social media activity saw him in trouble with the law.
The Prime Minister has been criticised for rejecting the idea of this new law – on the basis it would stretch police resources.
The whole system is confusing and allows for too many incidents to be deemed “hate”.
Controversial but reasonable opinions can be the basis of a visit from the police or even arrest.
It should worry us all that a Conservative government is even on board with the concept of a hate crime.
The upcoming Online Harms Bill must be as effective as possible in tackling the scourge of online abuse.
Introduced with the best of intentions, they have grown and morphed beyond reason – more so than Macpherson could surely have imagined.
And this power struggle carries with it serious threats to free speech and democratic accountability.
Criminal behaviour under the new law would be based on offence caused, rather than intended – a significant difference to England and Wales.
The legislation is aimed at stopping prejudice, but it can easily be used to silence debates on gender identity.
The Government intends to introduce a Code of Practice, but must take care it doesn’t do more harm than good.