Chomper Higgot

Nothing like a personal attack to expose the weakness of your arguments.

QED

That’s right Morch. I stick to my argument and don’t get distracted by the slurs tossed my way by those who don’t agree with me. It’s known as consistency.

Lots of claims. Thin on evidence.

By erm…. taking part in this thread and reading the posts people make.

What you mean observing the way people actually live their lives on Remembrance Day is a weak comparison? Really, is that your comeback??

Rose tinted? I also support the rights of counter protesters to erm counter protest. I’m pretty sure there will be some rather unsavory characters amongst them, but provided they are peaceable in their protests they have a right to protest. If a few amongst them break the law or become violent, I won’t blame all counter protestors. It’s the nature of political protest, those who don’t agree with the protest will exaggerate any breach of the law. Those interested in causing trouble will show up on both sides of the line, it’s always the case. What’s new is a Minister of State actively engaging inflammatory rhetoric to advance her own authoritarian political objectives.

Honestly Morch, what does it matter if there are 100,000 or 500,000 attendees? Those arguing against this protest are doing so on the basis of the protest actually being allowed.

Remembrance Day is lots of things. People will this weekend go shopping, clubbing, down the pub for some beers, make jokes and laugh, enjoy themselves and lots of other normal things, including enjoying their right to peacefully protest. I think protesting for the end of a war on Armistice Day is a rather fitting way to memorialize those who have died or been injured in wars.

I’m on the side of challenging obviously fictitious claims and faux outrage. I have absolutely no problem repeating my defense of fundamental rights. The issue to me is authoritarians climbing on the bandwagon in an attempt to restrict rights to protest. The subtext of other rightwing garbage around nationality, faith and ‘citizenship’ are all over this thread. I’m very comfortable with which side of the argument I’m on.

Opinions differ. I’m on the side of defending the right to peacefully protest and arresting and prosecuting those who break the law. But I think you got that.

We should start a tabulation of excuses used by those eager to deny others their right to peaceful protest.

Are you sure you used all your ‘key board short-cuts’?

I understand your desire to make unsubstantiated claims and ire at being challenged for doing so. I see absolutely nothing disrespectful about protesting for an end to a war on a day dedicated to the memory of an Armistice. Opinions differ, but rights to peaceful protest are a matter of law and international human rights conventions (that were promulgated in the aftermath of WW2) and to which the UK is a founding nation signatory.

Oddly you aren’t taking up any argument against those paining the protestors as violent, anti-semites. I’m rather pleased the police understand their obligations to not interfere with the right to peaceful protest, and indeed peaceful counter protest. They can focus on dealing with those who break the law and let others enjoy their rights, as the law requires the police to do.

Brian. It is you that used the term ‘host country’. It is you that are arguing demonstrators are not British Citizens It is for you to provide evidence to back your claims, not me. And anyway, as I’ve already stated, Article 11 of the ECHR under which the rights within the UK to peaceful protest exist has no nationality qualification.

Oh dear. So some folk tag along for other reasons, other folk join counter demonstrations for other reasons. Perhaps now you’ll understand my objection to a Minister of State inflaming already high emotions and dig whistling to the extreme rightwing rather than seeking to quieten those emotions with careful and considered commentary.

They don’t have to be Brian, the right to freedom of assembly (Article 11 of the European Convention on Hunan Rights) under which the right to peaceful protest in the UK exists has no ‘nationality’ qualification.

Well yes I agree, it’s one of the things people from around the world who fought with Britain in two world wars fought for. And yes I agree, marching for peace on Armistice Day is a fitting memorial to those who were killed or injured in those wars and the many wars and conflicts since.

Do you have evidence that the demonstrators are not British citizens?

‘Host country’?

Sunak should fire her and remove the whip. She’s then loose her accreditation as a Tory candidate at the next election. Doing so would send a clear message that the stories will not engage in hate mongering. I suspect though he’ll do nothing and in failing to act will lose control of the Parliamentary Tory Party. Unable to hold the Tories together despite a 56 seat majority.

I didn’t say you were.

Hardly surprising though is it Morch, given the personal attacks and slurs that many of those who disagree with me resort to.

What anti semitic marches?