The UK government's plan to introduce a new definition of extremism, under the leadership of Rishi Sunak, has led to significant controversy and division within the Conservative Party. Concerns have been raised that the broader definition could inadvertently target groups opposed to gay marriage, abortion, or new transgender rights, as well as traditional Christians and critics of transgender rights. This has sparked a debate over the potential impact on freedom of speech and the definition's ability to distinguish between legitimate views and genuine threats to democracy. The Muslim Council of Britain and Palestine Action have been mentioned as organizations that could be labeled extremist under the new definition, which aims to combat Islamist and right-wing groups undermining British values. Critics, including Conservative MPs and peers, argue that the government's approach could hinder democratic freedoms and protest rights, emphasizing the need for a careful and consensus-driven definition of extremism.
Interesting article: "there is something almost touching about Conservative MPs, having so utterly failed over 14 years to legislate in a way that even slightly constricts the power of the hyper-progressive authoritarian Left, now fussing over the definition of extremism" https://t.co/rjvspHm5Al https://t.co/XryF4CUpvi
Having spent 14 years failing to legislate in a way which even slightly constricts the power of the hyper-progressive Left, Tory politicians are now fussing over the definition of extremism. @adamhpking 👇 https://t.co/Pk8JNVFe8H
✍️ 'The Government must be very careful as to how extremism is defined if it is to avoid targeting legitimate opinion' | Telegraph View Read the full column here 👇 https://t.co/f3uVsZTgsF https://t.co/mg2m66v0Eq
“Extremism” - after fourteen years, are the Tories about to crack the nut? Find out in my short piece for @unherd ! https://t.co/JUQMsvpQ5b
'Isn’t there something not merely ambiguous but profoundly sinister, nowadays, in that phrase, “undermining British values”?' @adamhpking on the move to redefine extremism 👇 https://t.co/Pk8JNVFe8H
'Isn’t there something not merely ambiguous but profoundly sinister, nowadays, in that phrase, “undermining British values”?' @adamhpking on the move redefine extremism 👇 https://t.co/Pk8JNVFe8H
Times letter today. On the government proposing to redefine "extremism" (again) in a General Election year. A useful policy will require cross-party consensus, rather than a party political "dividing line" https://t.co/XpvvGTZIFV https://t.co/KjQl0lpg1K
‘There is a problem with this new definition of extremism. The fact is it might now make YOU an extremist!’ @PatrickChristys sends a message to Rishi Sunak for his response to radical extremism in the UK. 🔒 Become a GB News Member: https://t.co/mNsRsGC8ef https://t.co/M6AsgVRRFv
Conservative MPs and peers are criticising Downing Street for trying to broaden the definition of extremism in response to the threat of "mob rule", according to Rishi Sunak. Mike Graham: "They have put themselves in a real quagmire here." @Iromg https://t.co/iKMMDSuwnY
Forget about a new definition of “extremism”. How useless from our Government. Slash immigration, kick out hate preachers, get serious about integration, empower Muslim women to break free of patriarchal tyranny and find work so they make connections and feel British. My column:…
"We have democratic freedom to protest in the UK, and I think that's something that the government will need to make sure that this doesn't hinder or interact with.” Tory MPs worry change to extremism definition could “hinder trans activist groups”, says Alicia Fitzgerald. https://t.co/h8h8UyvUQj
Groups 'undermining' British values to be guilty of extremism Ministers are seeking to broaden the term's definition amid concerns over attempts to undermine democracy through violence and intimidation https://t.co/aQZ0eVjP3r https://t.co/7u11Fi7uGy
With No10 under pressure from within the Tory party over the new definition of extremism, here's the @JonUngoedThomas story revealing the whole thing back in November: https://t.co/tzkGnlO1jP
We should all be very worried about this. A possible broadening of extremism definition will inadvertently have an impact on independent thought, community concerns and democratic freedoms. https://t.co/eG8uzLJFKR
UK faces Tory backlash over plans to broaden extremism definition - leave it at the use of promotion of violence please https://t.co/yzCfB9Q8PL
No 10 faces Tory backlash over plans to broaden extremism definition https://t.co/Y8ccq8giXZ
Cabinet 'split on expanding definition of extremism' as Tories warn gender critical groups and Christians could be caught by the law https://t.co/bpUT4np7in https://t.co/3EUPkTnZNa
Muslim Council of Britain and Palestine Action 'could be identified as extremist' in government crackdown on Islamist and right-wing groups that 'undermine' British values https://t.co/vytbxSaGZ0 https://t.co/4KP2L88wcb
"I am concerned because I think it's very difficult to define extremism in a way that doesn't catch people with perhaps minority but perfectly legitimate views.” Defining extremism will cause 'concerning' problems with freedom of speech, says @Miriam_Cates. @AasmahMir https://t.co/l7y1f17xhB
"The golden rule for policing boundaries on prejudice is always to be clear about what must be permitted as legitimate speech before setting out where the line needs to be drawn." @sundersays on the need for the next government to define Islamophobia: https://t.co/632g2w2VmV
"Tories divided over new definition of extremism "Trans rights critics and traditional Christians could be caught up in crackdown on Islamism" https://t.co/D9fu7z5xsf
'Let's be honest, they're trying to deal with the Islamist extremists' Tories split over definition of 'extremism', after fears other groups may be inadvertently dragged into the definition. @andrewdoyle_com @joshxhowie @leokearse react to Tuesday's front pages. https://t.co/QeuvQThPfg
Government plan for a new definition of extremism has sparked concerns in cabinet that it could inadvertently penalise groups opposed to gay marriage, abortion or new transgender rights ⬇️ https://t.co/C9l5gsccAe
Tuesday's TIMES: Tories divided over new definition of extremism #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/VVFVtfqPAg