Is the sexual orientation of a judge relevent?

^ It means people can express and take peaceful action about opinions that others find revolting.^

Does that cover tolerance of paedophilia and racism?

I'm not sure what you're getting defensive about, thatbags. I have no problem at all with Farage's demonstration.His misguided followers can have as nuch fun as they like shouting and chanting outside the Supreme Court so long as they don't break the law of the land. It won't bother or influence the Judges in the slightest as they have only to interpret the law, not make political decisions.

Demonstrations are far more useful when the demonstrators are making a political point. Like objecting to fracking, or a runway or an illegal war.

Theresa May probably believes in freedom of expression as well as an independent judiciary. The two are not mutually exclusive.

I think she has shown quite a lot of guts so far.

Judges certainly shouldn't have to go into hiding. Neither should anyone else.

Other people try to influence various political and judicial decisions through demonstrations, jess. Isn't it called activism or something? Why should it be a different rule for Farage from what it is for everyone else? So long as demonstraters don't break the law, what's the problem? It seems to be that some people simply don't understand what free speech and freedom of expression mean. It means people can express and take peaceful action about opinions that others find revolting.

Hmm...can't find anything about the Judges having 'gone into hiding'. Come on durhamjen, you're usually so keen to share your sources of information.

One wonders if anyone is trying to nobble the supreme judges.

durhamjen

You are too astute to not have information to state ' the judges have gone into hiding ' please can you inform us where that information has been reported.

Give her a chance, Jess! She was landed with rather a poisoned chalice right from the start...

Yup - freedom of speech does not mean that newspapers or politicians should abandon the responsibilities that come with freedoms.
Farage is trying to influence the decision of the supreme court by organising a demonstration.
Was just listening to Obama's speech today. Wish our PM could take a leaf out of his book and act like a decent leader with the whole country's welfare at heart.

The trouble with free speech (as some see it) is that it doesn't match with their own world views.We ( as a society) have to allow ALL their views to be expressed, so long as they are not criminal.

I thought that you always DID say what you liked djen ( don't recall you ever holding back)

Good post bags I agree completely.

Have they, jen?

Free expression for me as well? In that case I can say what I like, too. The judges have had to go into hiding.

I absolutely agree bags but in a free society there are rules that should never be crossed. So yes freedom of speech but definitely tempered with wisdom and care.

Isn't he trying to whip up antagonism to the judges' decision rather than the judges themselves? Let's not confuse the issue. We don't need to stoop to DM level.

He has every right to be antagonistic and to express his antagonism to the decision, just as other people have every right to be supportive of it and to express their support.

The Daily Mail piece was bad journalism. Why is anyone surprised? Has bad journalism never reared its head in the vicinity of that publication before?

Bad journalism is allowed in this country too. Freedom of the press (even the bad press) is just as important as freedom of the judiciary. I support both.

As for Farage... shrug. He's doing what Farage does. Just as the DM did what the DM does and the judges did what they do.

Free expression for ALL, I say. Even people whose views I hate. Bad ideas are not overcome by suppressing them.

Perhaps you should tell Farage that. After all he's the one who is trying to whip up antagonism against the judges.

the last thing the country needs are ANY demonstrations just at the moment, because as likely or not it would end in violence all round, shops having to close, and extra police being called in at great expense.

I'm sure a good time was had by all, Jess.

Combine it with the walkout for all immigrant workers. That should prove interesting.

LOL well I don't suppose anything that I post on GN will cause civil unrest Ana But sometimes it is important for those respecting liberty, democracy and the rule of law to stand up and be counted when these are under threat. Cable Street led to legislation against uniformed political organisations and was a turning point in the rise of Moseley's facist movement
I do wonder whether Farage would be given permission to hold the kind of demonstration he is boasting about. He would have to get the permission and agreement for demonstrating in Parliament Square (which is where the supreme court is situated).
In our relatively tiny demonstration in an obscure area of Wales the police had in place a detailed and comprehensive plan to keep both sides apart. The whole town centre more or less closed for the day and lots of ordinary families turned up to watch what was going on!

Do you really think it's a good idea to encourage a counter-demonstration in London Jess?

The numbers involved would be rather larger than in a Welsh market town and the likelihood of violence ensuing would be high, I'd have thought.

This is frightening, the marching on the court idea. A year ago there was a small group of fascists - 2 or 3 dozen at most demonstrating near here in a sleepy Welsh market town. There was a counter demonstration with around 400 of us - MPs, other politicians, clergy etc.
Londoners need to replicate this please to show that the rule of law is respected in this country. Please.
I note that the term "political class" has been bandied about by Trump in his frenzied "anti-establishment" campaign.
And that Prince Harry has been complaining bitterly about the untrammelled vulgarity and insensitivity of the press. And that he "gets it" when they use subtle racism. Just like the OP on this thread - subtly homophobic.

Paul Mason calls on Mumsnet posters to oppose Farage's march...

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/07/bond-traders-trots-mumsnet-left-centre-farages-mob

Well, Gransnetters are sort of an older version of Mumsnetters.