UK Parliament / Open data

Public Order Bill

Proceeding contribution from John Hayes (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 7 March 2023. It occurred during Debate on bills on Public Order Bill.

I will not give way again; I see that you, Madam Deputy Speaker, if not yet on your feet, are edging forward in your Chair, and so asking me to bring my remarks to a conclusion.

Freedom is not just about the capacity to hear from others with whom we agree; a free and open society is one in which we hear from those with whom we do not agree. That freedom is at risk. Amendment (a) is most reasonable, and I urge the House to accept it with these final words from the author and statesman John Buchan:

“You think that a wall as solid as the earth separates civilisation from barbarism. I tell you the division is a thread, a sheet of glass.”

Today I will vote against barbarism by voting for this amendment. I mission everyone in this Chamber to exercise their conscience and vote for it with me.

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
729 c218 
Session
2022-23
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
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