Rishi Sunak’s plan to redefine extremism is disingenuous – and a threat to democracy
This, he has argued, is needed because “our democracy itself is a target” of antisemitic and Islamophobic extremists.
- This, he has argued, is needed because “our democracy itself is a target” of antisemitic and Islamophobic extremists.
- However, the reality is that no measures do more damage to democracy than policy proposals like the one Sunak is promoting.
- The UK already has a definition for extremism, which is used in efforts to tackle terrorism.
- A key reason why this definition is not contained in legislation is because it is so vague and unclear.
Vague to vaguer
- What does it mean to undermine or overturn the rights or freedoms of others?
- Would arguing for the UK to leave the European convention on human rights count meet the bar?
- What about calling for restrictions on the right to free speech or the right to protest?
Existing laws are enough
- But the UK already has numerous laws in place to tackle what it considers to be unacceptable behaviour at protests.
- The Terrorism Act (which is also incredibly broad) can be used to prosecute people who damage property or create a serious risk to public safety during protests.
- Counter-terrorism laws can also capture forms of expression at public demonstrations or online.
- This can now be applied by he police to criminalise protests that are considered to be making too much noise.
The right to protest
- People may self-censor out of fear of being identified as extremist, not least when their employer has a duty under Prevent.
- There is a deep danger of conflating protest with extremism and terrorism, undermining the legitimacy of these protests.
- To stretch the concept of extremism to cover these views is what is actually undermining democracy and the rights and freedoms of others.
Alan Greene does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.