The U.K. does not enjoy the same free speech protections we here in the U.S. are blessed to have. We see it play out as the authorities arrest people for memes, praying in front of abortion clinics (or in their own homes if they live near one), and censoring media.
But there are still free speech advocates, like Dennis Noel Kavanagh, who object to what Kavanagh calls 'de facto blasphemy provisions' when it comes to the burning of the Quran.
Bit worrying this. Freedom to offend against any religion is a pretty consistent common law right and one the High Court jealously and ferociously protects. Surprising to see an MP uncomfortable with that and presumably more comfortable with de facto blasphemy provisions. https://t.co/ra7xVYonej
— Dennis Noel Kavanagh (@Jebadoo2) May 8, 2025
Kavanagh is the director of the Gay Man's Network and a lawyer, so this writer understands why he'd be concerned about Islam in the U.K.
Meanwhile, MP Adnan Hussain tried to scold Kavanagh:
I'm uncomfortable with racism. https://t.co/GequEQfBRe
— Adnan Hussain MP (@AdnanHussainMP) May 8, 2025
Islam is not a race. Burning the Quran is not racism.
Erm? Are you suggesting that Dennis is “racist” for referring to a religion…? I do hope not. Because that would be mental…
— James Dreyfus (@DreyfusJames) May 8, 2025
He is suggesting that very thing.
Islam is literally not a race.
— Leftism (@LeftismForU) May 9, 2025
Being against having blasphemy laws isn't racist in any way.
If you want Sharia law then move to one of the s**thole excuses for a country where they have it.
Leftists and radical Islamists are never content in their own country. They must spread their destructive ideologies everywhere.
What's racist about telling you we will never have blasphemy laws in this country?
— Billy Bragg (@Serena_Partrick) May 8, 2025
It hurts his feelings.
I’m uncomfortable with unsupported cries of “Racism!” to prop up every stupid idea you come up with.
— BG (“Beege”) Burton (@QuantumMagick) May 8, 2025
You know you’re the racist here. You know what you are and what you espouse.
You reap what you sow, little boy.
The 'racism' card is overplayed and worn out.
I'm uncomfortable with a religion that believes it has the right to special treatment.
— Chica'sBailBonds (@IrinaMoises) May 9, 2025
And it's clear Islam gets special treatment in the U.K. and elsewhere.
I'm uncomfortable with 6.5% of the population responsible for:
— Jonathan Wong (@WGthink) May 9, 2025
90%+ of terror deaths since 2000
75% of terror threats
84% of child gang rapes
18% of prisoners
6,000 female genital mutilations a year
1.5x birth defect rate
48.6% of 16-64 not employed
27% in social housing
Oof.
I'm uncomfortable with this https://t.co/248zGDUX72 pic.twitter.com/MUjtQMi5Qk
— Basil the Great (@Basil_TGMD) May 9, 2025
As are all sane people.
I’m uncomfortable with rapism https://t.co/kPu8k0rS2Z
— Mike Graham 🇬🇧 (@Iromg) May 8, 2025
We see what you did there.
Islam is not a race, ethnicity or nationality. Criticising or even offending Islam cannot be racism. https://t.co/XyzCj5Dv7y
— Tapani Simojoki (@tapanisimojoki) May 8, 2025
Anyone can be Islamic.
I'm uncomfortable with homophobia, misogyny & rapism. https://t.co/hkUbS0VrVs
— Sound of the Carnyx 🏴 🇬🇧 (@carnixvoice) May 9, 2025
Same.
I’m uncomfortable with MPs who cannot understand very basic concepts or fundamental freedoms. https://t.co/zRLmwSDMnW
— Adrian Yalland (@AdrianYalland) May 9, 2025
Reasonable.
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