Racial & Religious Hatred Bill 2005 October 24, 2005
Posted by in : News , comments closedHartlepool Liberal Democrats support local faith groups within the Hartlepool community who have voiced their concerns to us about this bill.
The Liberal Democrats support the governments intent behind this bill, but the wording of the bill as well as the content is badly flawed. It would not only outlaw the promotion of hatred against a group of people because of their religion but it would also outlaw legitimate criticisms of religion.
This is an incursion of Freedom of Speech and has the potential for divisive side effects and problems for already harmonious communities. It bill would actually disadvantage the main group of people it was designed to protect. It will increase pressures and tensions within religious communities.
We support amendments to the bill, but the government have said that they will invoke the Parliament Act to push this bill through.
We believe that they should listen to reason and accept the amendments.
