Brussels police ordered to attend a right wing conference attended by Braverman and Farage

The Nat Cons have been entirely irrelevant since they formed themselves - and last year their conference took place with barely a glance, so they must be thrilled to have such publicity. Farage was practically jumping up and down in excitement.

Cossy

Quite frankly Farage, Johnson and Trump all have followers who are almost cultish in their one sided adoration.

Anyone who cannot recognise this perhaps should look again!

Hmmm, I suppose that could be said of and to others, depending on who you supported.

Perhaps you can explain why there is such a focus on NF on this thread, which is primarily about the upholding of free speech?

Whitewavemark2

The Nat Cons have been entirely irrelevant since they formed themselves - and last year their conference took place with barely a glance, so they must be thrilled to have such publicity. Farage was practically jumping up and down in excitement.

One can only guess

Yes indeed Namsnanny, yes indeed.
It does concern me just how many people, even on Gransnet, want to shut down anyone they disagree with. Those who wish to close down Nigel Farage are denying free speech just as are those who wish to close down Jeremy Corbyn.
Free speech means just that, free speech. It doesn’t mean you can say whatever you like so long as I agree with you.

Thank you maddyone I'm quite sure you have explained it far better than I did, and for that alone Thanks again.

maddyone 👍🏻

Namsnanny

Cossy

Quite frankly Farage, Johnson and Trump all have followers who are almost cultish in their one sided adoration.

Anyone who cannot recognise this perhaps should look again!

Hmmm, I suppose that could be said of and to others, depending on who you supported.

Perhaps you can explain why there is such a focus on NF on this thread, which is primarily about the upholding of free speech?

If you read the original post on the thread Namsnanny, it was not directly about free speech, it’s morphed into that, and Farage was specifically mentioned, not just in the title, which is why people are putting a focus on him?

Yes your right Casdon
I'm just fascinated why the topic of free speech isn't as bewitching as NF

Namsnanny

Perhaps because among his many admirers he also has many detractors 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t really know tbh

maddyone

Yes indeed Namsnanny, yes indeed.
It does concern me just how many people, even on Gransnet, want to shut down anyone they disagree with. Those who wish to close down Nigel Farage are denying free speech just as are those who wish to close down Jeremy Corbyn.
Free speech means just that, free speech. It doesn’t mean you can say whatever you like so long as I agree with you.

I absolutely don’t wish to close Farage down, nor anyone else who has opposing views to me and many others.

I don’t agree GNs wish to shut those down with whom they don’t agree.

I think, imo, most of us here wish to keep free speech and our rights to disagree with what’s being said. I think most of us here, imo, respect and agree with democracy.

He does seem to be able to attract attention doesn't he Cossy?

As I mentioned above, yes I saw on tv he was at this conference, but what shocked me and took my attention was, that a bureaucrat could shut down an event which was well published before hand, and use the police to back him up.

Our free speech is already being eroded in many ways. The internet reduces that even further.
I don't want to live in a country that continues down that path.

X posts Cossy

Namsnanny

He does seem to be able to attract attention doesn't he Cossy?

As I mentioned above, yes I saw on tv he was at this conference, but what shocked me and took my attention was, that a bureaucrat could shut down an event which was well published before hand, and use the police to back him up.

Our free speech is already being eroded in many ways. The internet reduces that even further.
I don't want to live in a country that continues down that path.

Neither do I!

Namsnanny

X posts Cossy

I don't think the conference should have been closed down.

The reason the Mayor gave in his letter to the organisers was that the venue had been changed at the last minute, after two venues stated they wouldn't host the conference. The organisers hadn't informed the municipality, although the venue had. The Mayor's argument was that he didn't have time to organise security (police). The area is the most deprived in Brussels and has people from a multitude of ethnic backgrounds. The Mayor implied that there might be trouble, given the agenda of the National Conservatives.

Somebody posted a link to the meeting the Mayor had in 2018 with Turkish far-right leaders, for which he was criticised by his party. Maybe he didn't want to be seen hosting a conference with some very vocal far-right leaders.

Although I don't think he should have taken the action he did, I can also see it from his point of view.

PS. How does this compare with the marches in London people have wanted to ban? Shouldn't they be allowed free speech too (even if you don't agree with their causes)?

Whitewavemark2

The Nat Cons have been entirely irrelevant since they formed themselves - and last year their conference took place with barely a glance, so they must be thrilled to have such publicity. Farage was practically jumping up and down in excitement.

I agree. Farage revels in playing the victim.

Namsnanny

Yes your right Casdon
I'm just fascinated why the topic of free speech isn't as bewitching as NF

There are quite a few ‘trigger people’ on Gransnet - mention their name and the hares start running, I’m not sure he’s top of the list even. Meghan probably beats him! As does Boris Johnson, and coming up close on the rails it would seem, Angela Rayner.

It really disturbs me that views expressed at this conference are described as “extreme right”, as some of these views I would agree with. I see myself as politically conservative but there is no UK political party that I 100% agree with. My views are definitely not extreme right.

Ditto Urmstongran

And I'd started to mellow towards Streeting (NHS reforms) but when I saw his delight at this outrageous attack on free speech it was clear he was letting his true character show.

As for Ashworth, well, he's not really a deep thinker is he?

Urmstongran

It really disturbs me that views expressed at this conference are described as “extreme right”, as some of these views I would agree with. I see myself as politically conservative but there is no UK political party that I 100% agree with. My views are definitely not extreme right.

But they are views which most people would categorise as extreme right - certainly those of Orban.

I don’t really know what Mr Orban’s views are, except that I do know that he doesn’t want to have much/any (not quite sure which) immigration into Hungary. Otherwise I’m unsure that his views have been given much prominence in the British media so I’m unsure what they are. How do we know he’s far right? How do we assess this? Maybe others know a bit more about his policies than I do. He could very well be far right for all I know, but I’m wondering how we decide this. On what criteria?

Re the comment about free speech and the pro Palestine marches. Well clearly the protesters have had many months of free speech, which is fine except that some of the protesters have shouted antisemitic slogans, from the river to the sea and so on, and some have carried antisemitic placards featuring swastikas and Hitler and so on. These incidents are not breaches of the peace, though they very well could be, but they are hate speech which is an offence. Free speech is fine, hate speech is against the law and therefore not fine.

maddyone

I don’t really know what Mr Orban’s views are, except that I do know that he doesn’t want to have much/any (not quite sure which) immigration into Hungary. Otherwise I’m unsure that his views have been given much prominence in the British media so I’m unsure what they are. How do we know he’s far right? How do we assess this? Maybe others know a bit more about his policies than I do. He could very well be far right for all I know, but I’m wondering how we decide this. On what criteria?

Try reading foreign media, which is available in English, or having Hungarian next-door neighbours, like I do.

maddyone

Re the comment about free speech and the pro Palestine marches. Well clearly the protesters have had many months of free speech, which is fine except that some of the protesters have shouted antisemitic slogans, from the river to the sea and so on, and some have carried antisemitic placards featuring swastikas and Hitler and so on. These incidents are not breaches of the peace, though they very well could be, but they are hate speech which is an offence. Free speech is fine, hate speech is against the law and therefore not fine.

If last year's National Conservative conference is anything to go by, there was plenty in there which could be considered hate speech.