The ‘cancel culture’ – which seeks to shut down views and
voices that don’t subscribe to a particular, narrow, political agenda, took
another concerning twist this weekend when Extinction Rebellion blockaded
several newspaper print factories in order to prevent them from being printed
and distributed.
The fact that it was only some newspapers, and not those who
generally support a more left-wing political view, shows once again what the
thinly veiled agenda is behind this campaign.
This latest stunt in the undemocratic campaign to bring down
capitalism should be a cause for concern for many reasons.
Firstly, it is illegal, and I was pleased to read that the
Police did actually take action and there were 58 arrests of those who were
protesting. To seek to prevent companies from going about their lawful business
in this way should never be accepted in an open and democratic society. It is
worth noting that by preventing newspapers from being printed and distributed
it is not just the owners of the papers that pay the cost. It is also thousands
of businesses across the country, many of which are small family businesses
such as newspapers and convenience stores, who stock and sell these papers who
would have felt the consequences. At a time when many of our businesses are
struggling to recover from the lockdown this type of action is the last thing
they and our economy needs.
But probably more serious is the blatant attempt to shut
down those who do not concur with the narrow and extreme agenda of Extinction
Rebellion. A free press is one of the hallmarks of freedom of speech that is
the foundation of our democracy. Listening to opposing views is a healthy part
of any open democratic society. As the saying goes you do not win a debate by
stopping debate from taking place.
When it comes to the issue of climate change and protecting
our environment, we have been having a significant and constructive debate in
this country now for many years. That debate needs to be allowed to continue.
The issue is too important to be shut down now. But we also have to accept it
is a very complex matter with a wide variety of views and opinions. Seeking to
shut it down, particularly at this point in time, is the last thing we need to
do.
The irony is now, that just at a point when we are making
real advances in action being taken to limit and prevent climate change, those
who claim to be the most focused, committed and vocal on the matter are in
danger of being the ones doing the most harm to progress.
When Extinction Rebellion began their direct-action protest
last year it was clear there was a fair degree of sympathy and support for
their cause. People may not have completely agreed with all of their actions
but there was a general acceptance that their cause was just.
However, as they have continued their protests and escalated
their actions it is clear from my post bag that they are losing much of the
good will they may have initially attracted. This latest action at the weekend
appears to have lost them even more support. Even some leading politicians from
parties who are known to be in support of more action to fight climate change
are now saying these latest stunts by Extinction Rebellion are undermining the
cause and counter-productive.
There is a fine balance between allowing protest to happen
whilst remaining legal and respecting the views of others. Many people, and our
society as a whole, has been on a journey in recent years and it is clear the
general direction of travel has been towards a greater understanding of the
importance of protecting our environment, and a greater acceptance that more
needs to be done to reduce emissions and prevent further harm to our
environment.
This government has taken more action than any other to put
in place legislation to cut our carbon emissions, reduce pollution including
things such as plastic waste and promote clean energy and sustainable growth.
Yes, more needs to be done and more will be done. But as in any significant change
the government, and politicians in general, have to take the public with them.
That is where our democratic mandate for the action required will come from.
The vast majority of people I engage with now accept that we
need to take more action to reduce pollution and the impact of climate change.
My concern is that the actions of a few extremists is now damaging the cause
they say they are fighting for. It is becoming more and more clear to me that
their consistent criminality and disruption of the lives of law-abiding
businesses and hard working people is losing them the support of much of the
public. Support we are going to need if we are to make further progress.
