Illiberalism

Who made James O’Brien pope of religious identity?

Radio presenter James O'Brien doesn't like Jacob Rees-Mogg. You only have to listen to a few minutes of his LBC interview with the MP to sense the contempt, bitterness and petulant self-righteousness which laces every indignant consonant he spits toward…

Why didn’t the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum speak up for Tim Farron?

November 29, 2017
209 Comments

Former LibDem leader Tim Farron delivered the Theos Annual Lecture last night, entitled: 'What Kind of Liberal Society Do We Want?' The whole speech is worth reading, because it is…

If a bigot can’t be PM, why should one be allowed to become an MP?

September 7, 2017
397 Comments

Jacob Rees-Mogg walks into a TV studio. Grand Inquisitor Piers Torquemorgan has wheeled out his rack; his beatific assistant Susanna Reid has greased up the Judas cradle. Heresy is not…

Government to establish ‘Commission for Countering Extremism’ – Be afraid. Be very afraid

June 23, 2017
197 Comments

"A commission for countering extremism will be established to support the government in stamping out extremist ideology in all its forms, both across society and on the internet, so it…

It’s not that Christians can’t lead political parties; it’s that Evangelical Christians can’t lead the Liberal Democrats

June 15, 2017
266 Comments

"To be a political leader...and to live as a committed Christian, to hold faithfully to the Bible's teaching, has felt impossible for me," said Tim Farron as he resigned as…

There's nothing British about banning the burqa

August 9, 2016
394 Comments

Not content with a "total ban" on Muslim schools, Ukip leadership candidate Lisa Duffy now wants to ban Muslims from wearing burqas; those Darth Vader-like cloaks which some Muslims…

Theresa May could be poised for real political greatness

July 12, 2016
218 Comments

"Brexit means Brexit, and we're going to make a success of it," proclaimed Theresa May, just hours before she was unexpectedly declared the new leader of the Conservative Party,…

Don't gloat over Stephen Fry quitting Twitter: he's an ally in the battle for freedom

February 16, 2016
356 Comments

During the Bafta ceremony on Sunday evening, Stephen Fry made an acerbic comment about the dress sense of one of the award winners. He referred to Jenny Beavan's appearance…

MPs unite to condemn Ofsted regulation of Sunday schools

January 21, 2016
479 Comments

Anyone with even a modicum of understanding will know that not all religions in all of their forms are equally benign. That’s where the whole 'British Values' drive has…

A National Register of Faith Leaders? Government plans to vet all ministers of religion

September 16, 2015
229 Comments

There was an odd article in the Telegraph last week. Odd because the headline, photograph and content didn't quite cohere. Andrew Gilligan has apparently got hold of a leaked…

Cameron can no more "destroy the Caliphate" than he can abolish the New Jerusalem

July 21, 2015
190 Comments

David Cameron's long-awaited speech on Islamic extremism (aka Islamism) was sort of worth waiting for. As he expounded his 'One Nation' vision to defeat the "poison" of extremism, he…

Tim Farron's Christian faith becomes an object of media scorn

July 19, 2015
334 Comments

There are plenty of people who think that you shouldn’t mix faith and politics. For some, such as the National Secular Society, they have made it a mission to…

The Divine Right of HM Revenue and Customs

July 13, 2015
61 Comments

One expected a tactical Conservative prime minister leading a pragmatic Conservative Party in an expedient Liberal-Conservative coalition to propose or perform the occasional un-conservative thing. It was reasonably politic,…

Christians are the new lepers

May 13, 2015
308 Comments

Speaking at Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University in Virginia last week, the next Republican nominee (if they have any sense) for President of the United States spoke of the increasing…

The £3.5 billion gift from the churches to our communities

March 10, 2015
163 Comments

This Friday will see Jake Berry MP's private member's Local Government (Religious etc. Observances) Bill go to Committee stage in the House of Lords. Assuming this goes through (and the…

Jake Berry reminds politicians of accountability to the Prince of Peace

December 21, 2014
106 Comments

"I am delighted to be able to take the Bill through Parliament and to protect people’s freedom to pray, because it is an important issue. As we approach Christmas, the…

Jake Berry MP seeks to extend the freedom of public bodies to pray

November 21, 2014
201 Comments

When Councillor Clive Bone of Bideford Town Council attempted to put a stop to the despicable discriminatory practice of formally beginning their meetings with prayers, the council dismissed his…

Christians are called to be 'non-violent extremists'

October 8, 2014
160 Comments

We have been here before. In fact, the illiberal proposal raises its portentous head with such frequency that it feels almost teleologically predetermined. From Labour's assault on "hate speech"…