What do you think of Nick Griffin being invited to speak at the Oxford Union?

Question

Are they right to give all aspect of free speech an airing?

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20071126/tuk-protests-as-oxford-hosts-bnp-leader-6323e80_1.html

Answer 1

I think that they are right to give Nick Griffin an opportunity to speak. I would be worried if they did ban him.

We allow the Radical Muslim clerics to preach hatred for our society to thousands of people in this country and these are people who's opinions go unchallenged and incite violence.

I dont agree with Mr. Griffin's opinions but he will be airing them in an environment where they can be challanged and alternative views presented. It is therefore up to the individual to make their own mind up, rather than being brainwashed into accepting an unchallenged opinion.

Answer 2

He is as entitled as anyone to get up there and have his say, just as it is everyone elses right to agree or disagree with him. After all how many muslim clerics have preached on the streets of London, this is just the other side of the coin.

The people who are trying to cause an uproar about this are bigger threats to free speech and democracy to anyone, they are the same type of people as those on here who shout racist at any mention of immigration or the BNP before they have even looked at the question.

Answer 3

Splendid. Free speech should be total not selective. This includes muslim hate preachers and Nick Griffin and David Irving and anyone else who wants to spout off. This way it's all out in the open and everybody can see these people for what they are. Mind you , if the BNP ever get a proper charismatic leader then the main parties, with their willful neglect of large sections of the electorate, may have cause to worry.

Answer 4

I don't agree with the majority of what he says or preaches however, I am all for freedom of speech. It is a crime to preach hatred based on someone's race, creed or colour (as well as other things) and I am opposed to anyone inciting others to kill or harm others just for what they believe.

Why should Abu Hamsa or whatever he's called be jailed for doing the same as Griffin??

Freedom of speech should apply to everyone - not just when it suits the establishment!!

Answer 5

If muslims are allowed to chant on the streets of London that they want to cause explosions in the UK then I'm bloody sure that Nick Griffin can speak at Oxford.

Answer 6

Yes - absolutely right to give ALL aspects of free speech an airing. Only fear makes idiots ban things.

Answer 7

While I don`t agree with any of Mr.Griffin`s policies.People died in wars so all have the right to freedom of speech(within the law) including Mr.Griffin and his political associates.His views may upset many, but like it or not he has the right to express them.Banning him is only creating censorship like the nazi and communist states used to practise.

Answer 8

I agree with 'mike h' and 'phillip h' that, without question, he should be allowed to speak. Moreover, it is those that would stop him speaking that are the greatest threat to freedom of speech, and in any event, we only have the word of the censoring 'left' leaning media that Nick Griffin is as right wing as they would have us believe.

Answer 9

I abhor his policies but if there is free speech then he should be allowed to debate them within the law. We should have nothing to fear and everything to gain from a healthy debate where his policies will be exposed for the rubbish that they are. This is meant to be a liberal democracy after all.

Answer 10

Don't see why not.

One doesn't have to like what he says but he should have the right to say it.

Anyway, the way this country is at the moment, he'll probably refer to a "blackboard" or something and get stoned for being racist before starting.