Letter: Tolerance and Respect for the Law Are Essential During the Brexit Process

Published on: 5 Nov, 2016
Updated on: 5 Nov, 2016

From Nils Christiansen

Conservative borough councillor for Holy Trinity ward

It’s time to say, ‘Enough!’

The EU referendum asked one simple question. Do we Leave or do we Remain in the EU? The answer was that we should Leave, and that is what we must do. Period.

The question was not whether we wanted to change our values or our constitution. In fact, both sides argued that these would be better protected if we voted their way.

In my opinion, what we are currently witnessing are disturbing challenges to the values and the constitution which together define much of what it means to be British.

Tolerance, freedom of speech and the rule of law can be uncomfortable bedfellows, but in Britain we have achieved a balance which is the envy of the world. It has taken many centuries of largely peaceful struggle to achieve this, but recent events show how easily it can be undermined.

Tolerance means accepting that others are different. The abuse heaped upon immigrants, people of colour and people of different faiths or sexual orientations is illegal and fundamentally un-British.

Being British is an identity which enables us to accept our underlying differences, such as being Scottish or English. Once this is undermined the underlying differences become more important, and our very nation of Great Britain loses its purpose as the custodian of ‘British-ness’.

Freedom of speech means allowing all sides to have their say. When intolerance is permitted, people become fearful of speaking their mind. In this way freedom of speech can be abused and undermined by populists who forcefully demand their views are heard, whilst turning a blind eye to their fellow travellers who bully and harass others into cowed silence.

Unfortunately significant parts of the press are complicit in this as they publish ever more inciting headlines like yesterday’s “Enemies of The People” and similar.

The rule of law is the glue which holds the delicate balance of our constitution together. Simply put, parliament passes the laws, judges enforce them. If the people don’t like their laws, they ask their elected politicians to change them in parliament.

Voters made a clear request in the EU Referendum that Parliament should now pass a law which get us out of the EU. The only thing that happened in the High Court on Thursday, was that judges pointed out that parliament should pass the law, not Theresa May and her cabinet.

It was a decision on process not politics and should remind everyone that this is how the British Constitution works. The disgraceful bullying of the judges who made this decision risks undermining the rule of law.

If the press and politicians cannot accept judges interpreting this law, which other laws should be ignored?

The current path is at best the route to a “nasty society” and at worst to tyranny. It is not good enough to call it ‘sturm und drang’ or quietly acquiesce. It is time for all politicians and civic leaders to say “Enough!”

The law and the independence of the judiciary will be respected. All voices will be heard, regardless of how much we disagree with their views.

And we will not accept any form of intolerance in our society. The alternative is mob rule and the undermining of what it means to be British.

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