Is "Freedom of Speech" Dead in UK?

A simple overview of the critical differences between hate speech and freedom of expression.
Check out my other video:
• What Sentences Can Rio...
Credit: www.criminalde...
Free £50, bonuses, and more:
share.octopus....
AND MORE:
linktr.ee/blac...
Exclusive content: www.blackbeltb...
#freespeech #humanrights #BlackBeltBarrister
Become a Channel member: / @blackbeltbarrister
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
I'm a Barrister of England and Wales.
Videos for educational guidance only, Always seek advice before taking action. Videos on my channel are not legal advice and should not be taken as such. I accept no liability for any reliance placed upon the content of these videos or references, therein. Description may contain affiliate or sponsored links, for which we may receive commissions or payment.

[@BlackBeltBarrister]

A follow up: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZSTl5hrmMSSsJI

[@Rob-el8ti]

i have a question can starmer be impeached ? jess phillips can with her comment that the Muslim's defending their community she's practically endorsing vigilantisms ain't she ? question 2 do you think we will see anyone from government or the police facing the full force of the law for 2 tier policing and lying about it ?

[@simont1108]

I was told in my early teens that you had to be a lot more careful about what you write as opposed to what you say. That was before computers and mobile phones and I think it refers to provable/damning evidence of your thoughts/intensions which even as a new concept seemed to make sense to me. OK, I had read 1984 but nowadays the 'Thought Police' seem to be a real thing.

[@alexlowe6511]

I heard that there’s a doorstep protest happening at 8pm every night. Like the nurse clapping during the Covid lockdown but people singing chants like “Two Tier Kier Starmar, twisted Kier Starmer” To the prodigy track. A huge protest.

[@jimmoynahan9910]

There's no such thing as "hate speech" in the UK as that would be free speech. BBB confusing the term free speech with "freedom of expression". Pathetic.

[@garywright9715]

Basically what you are saying is free speech needs to be controlled. We are all imbeciles who can’t sort out what someone is saying, we need someone to tell us. If someone threatens my life across social media I have to rely on the speech police to arrest them. If someone hates the practice of abortion they need to be investigated. We need free speech police to tell us what it actually is. Yea I don’t see any problems here. You talk about intent. Who police’s intent? And also does this apply across the board? If free speech is policed in certain circumstances and not others are you or anyone else comfortable with who makes the decision? This is a complete quagmire of opinions. If someone insults me with no view to say why, I at least can understand deleting a comment. But if they insult me with a view I want to see it. Free speech is being attacked at every turn. We’re all incapable of using our wits and we need elites to tell us why.

[@danw918]

If intent to cause distress is a crime, then my electricity bill should be immediately prosecuted.

[@patriciamargaret19565]

Priceless! I agree!

[@Diablo_Himself]

Same with the sodding TV licence and their harassing letters.

[@AnnFBug]

We need a bit of wit and humour in these dark days!

[@thomasconc]

All the government actions during Covid and now into this merde show are causing me harassment and distress so I expect ACTION to be taken !! This is just grey space for these authoritarian swine of BOTH Tory and Labour to be selective prosecuting people, making examples of journalists they don't like etc etc. Time to get rid of the fake choice between Tory and Labour and start over.

[@pauls3204]

My van insurer should be in prison

[@jayjay-xk1zn]

Arrest a woman praying but not arrest armed men with machetes

[@ianhandforth5672]

spot on,police are so corrupt

[@MichaelPetek]

You mean Isabel Vaughan-Spruce. I know her.

[@claireamos8613]

They arrested one, only because his face was shared on social media, asking why he hasn't been charged. GMB were asking folk if that royal family should let labour do a Putin and xi on us, by blocking social media if there is trouble or riots on the streets.

[@Treblaine]

One threatens the politicians, the other threatens the people. EDIT: specifically, threaten politicians' power.

[@MrGloop1234]

The police only target the weal

[@Seiskid]

Prison - because words. Police inaction - because serious crime.

[@petelovesbevsills]

It's enough to make a cat laugh! ( I hope we don't end up in jail!) Yewechube is also politically correct and subscribes to all the woke nonsense.

[@GhostBanned369]

This is what they did in communist china ,and Russia. You are ruled by genocidal marxist that want to keep you afraid and confused to stay in power.

[@jackmarshall2496]

​@@petelovesbevsillsas much as I agree with you that it's laughable and youtube is politically correct, I think each channel is a bit of an echo chamber in terms of the comments

[@tedc4982]

@@jackmarshall2496 ... same stimuli same 'echo'...

[@IparIzar]

Let's analyze the lesson given here: Be violent Great message politicians!

[@Nickgowans]

It's mind boggling that we have the police resources to stop people from saying mean words online but we lack the resources to attend actual crimes.

[@MaxSMoke777]

Well the guy that is stealing your bicycle isn't threatening the power structure of the government. You should get a very good idea of whom they are protecting, ie, themselves FROM you!

[@AnonJohn143]

Uk 4400, Russia 300...

[@jamescoburn6789]

​@@MaxSMoke777 Indeed. You may like I, observe the size of the resource they employ to attack the person or group, to advise you of the size of the threat to their interests. They are not protecting our interests, that is clear.

[@waynelowe3329]

​@AnonJohn143 take into account population differences and it gets worse.

[@dentpeninde]

3:11 Its low hanging fruit and easy to prosecute.

[@6minutemedia543]

My late father used to say "You can stand on any street corner and say whatever you like ... until people start listening to you."

[@brunobastos5533]

we all recall the look like the gay nana episode

[@torquetheprisoner]

@@brunobastos5533 that was just a passing phrase but the copper took it to heart with no humour at all

[@em6577]

My mum used to say 'you can't hang a man for his thoughts' ..hmm even that seems to be proving difficult. Cant pray in your head for starters

[@Kx0195]

​@@em6577 wait until they install Neuralink at birth like a circumcision. Get a 10 year sentence if they don't like your thoughts.

[@denishoulan1491]

Your father was a very wise man.

[@Zog696]

All the legal niceties do not conceal the rotting corpse of a free Liberal Britain.

[@Lou-Lou.]

If free and liberal means people can go around spreading hate, lies and violence then I don't want a free and liberal britain, I want a safe one.

[@AKUJIVALDO]

It is always "Liberals" and "Democrats" who goes for silencing opposition.

[@AxiosMassacre]

The idea that we should be policing and regulating insults is so dumb

[@chucknutly3290]

That offends me and that's actually assault.

[@Llkolii]

its not 'freedom of expression' at all, being able to say something someone doesn't like is the whole point of free speech. I can't believe these laws.

[@quintomalley1196]

@@chucknutly3290 get a life

[@MaxSMoke777]

No no, it makes perfect sense. They need you to obey. That is the only thing they care about. To achieve this, they ARE using the police appropriately.

[@ohdearism]

What kind of person feels the need to insult, degrade or racially abuse someone they've never met, either online or in person? What sort of character do these people have? If you were on the receiving end of daily abuse or bullying, either at work, online or even at home, and you were suffering trauma from it, but you knew there are laws to protect you from this abuse, would you contact your local constabulary or just ignore it in the hope that one day it may just fizzle out?

[@WolfHeathen]

Because the UK, in their fight against "fascism", actually became fascist.

[@longiusaescius2537]

Communism is not fascism

[@wilko4085]

@@longiusaescius2537they actually overlap. Fascism was created in cohesion with communism even at opposite ends of the spectrum. Both are totalitarianism. Both suppress opposition and dissent. Both are collectivism (fascism racial identity and communism class identity). Both have significant use of propaganda. The current UK state is doing all of them - with collectivism being both racial and class identity. Its a hybrid of communism and fascism between ideology, economic and political.

[@WolfHeathen]

@@longiusaescius2537 Then why has every single communist nation that has ever existed also been fascist? Take the Soviet Union, Cuba, and North Korea as examples: Authoritarian? Check. Ultranationalist? Check. Dictatorial? Check. Centralized autocracy? Check. Militarism? Check. Forcible suppression of opposition? Check. Belief in a natural social hierarchy? Check. Subordination of individual interests for the perceived benefit of the nation? Check. Just remember: it was a socialist who reinvented fascism as we know it today. The differences between the communist ideologies and fascism are few. The only reason for why we call fascism "far-right" today is because Benito Mussolini worked with Hitler (another socialist) against the Soviet Union who were on the winning side.

[@MrNote-lz7lh]

​@longiusaescius2537 It's collective oppression, so it's pretty much the same thing.

[@jakeschwartz2514]

@@longiusaescius2537communism has not one successful example and has cost upwards of 100 million lives

[@JanBruunAndersen]

I wonder how many of the protesters find it offensive to labeled far-right by politicians and journalists?

[@Brookspirit]

👆👍

[@DD-jm5ug]

They aren't protesting. This is terrorism. They are terrorists.

[@chelfyn]

Less and less every passing day

[@eliaspanayi3465]

​@@chelfynbadge of honour at this point. It just means you're upsetting the right people.

[@stephenhatherly226]

@@eliaspanayi3465 and being mocked by the rest of the country 🤷‍♂

[@templetonpeck393]

Freedom of speech died in the UK years ago under Blair. The communications act, Section 127 along with the whole nebulous concept of "harassment alarm and distress" within law. "Hate crime" as a concept and now, with the addition of the "Online harms bill" is gross and the death knell for free speech in the UK. Free speech doesn't exist conceptually so normal people can say inoffensive stuff, it exists for firebrands to speak truth to power. It's pathetic, weak and disgusting the way the government have destroyed speech. Insulting someone, offending someone, or anything like that is entirely free speech. The ONLY line that should be policed is incitement to violence. That's it. People being weak losers who can't handle something offending them are the problem. This is 1984 nonsense, nothing more.

[@dawnc1419]

Friggin bravo 👏👏👏👏👏

[@AnnFBug]

Spot on!!!

[@sandgrownun66]

Weren't there already laws in place which had served the UK well for centuries? Those of Defamation. If somebody said or wrote something which diminishes your character. You had legal redress through the courts to sue them for damages. Why wasn't that good enough anymore. Why the need to introduce the vague terms of "harassment alarm and distress? Suddenly, everyone had to censor their speech in case somebody might perceive some offence.

[@seanhuds7351]

As I mentioned in my comment, there are no examples of any laws being passed in the UK recently which didn't involve restricting the people of their civil liberties. Every law that is passed is to prevent ownership and debate.

[@theant9821]

YOU! Paperz, Pleaze,

[@andx79]

The UK doesn't have freedom of speech. Point blank. Brits only have the freedom to say non-offensive things. This is not freedom of speech.

[@martintownley5803]

But we live in a society where the leftie ruling class are offended by everything

[@lawshorizon]

They're not afraid of people saying offensive things. They're afraid of people saying offensive things that happen to be true.

[@kierancaldwell3442]

​@theoppositeopinion9290 his comment was directly answering the title though. It's not like he claimed to know everything about the vid

[@azimages2538]

@@lawshorizon yea like calling Black people the N name and Brown people the P name? thats what you mean init fella!! 🥱

[@Kj16V]

@@azimages2538 It's ALWAYS what these people mean, lol. And they genuinely think nobody realises 😂

[@emmettturner2886]

Blackbelt accept the fact that free speech is dead in England. It is the nature of people to take offense at political or social opinions of others that contradict theirs. Meaning you go to jail if someone of the protected classes feelings are hurt. That is not freedom of speech but coerced silence.

[@GMerton]

But currently this is hate crimes and violence this is not free speach but a colt - Farage leant from 2 x one to one meetings with trump on how to create division and unrest - wake up people

[@banjoebaby4590]

Yes and say nothing? Starmer gonna bang you up in belamarsh or wandsworth mate ahhahahahaha!

[@banjoebaby4590]

Well im rather fond of the natives losing their free speech! Find it very difficult to spew racism witha gag over you mouth

[@alexashworth3119]

Go take a peek at the US bill of rights you'll find it to be fascinating.

[@c_n_b]

The whole idea of having 'protected characteristics' is discrimination in itself.

[@CSBourne]

The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws. Tacitus.

[@kateboulton8789]

I went to Singapore in 1980. On the wall of the airport arrivals hall was a large sign stating "We do not have a large number of laws in Singapore, but those we have are rigorously enforced" (or words to that effect) Following that statement was a list of the laws. Including a warning that chewing gum was a banned substance!

[@rodzacjisook]

Brilliant comment

[@bentleycharles779]

The more laws, the more corrupt the state. Tacit.

[@ManNoName-c9u]

Bollocks. Perhaps you don't want laws about bankiing, driving, food quality, contracts, health & safety - the list is extremely long - but the rest of us do. You can go and live in a muddy hole quoting dead iron age people.

[@grottybt5006]

And each new law gives another opportunity to use "police discretion" to target certain people or groups while ignoring others

[@Messimagician83]

400 people got arrested in Russia for saying something online. In the UK we had over 3000 people arrested in the same year. Just let that sink in

[@glastonbury4304]

You've subscribed to social media fake news!! 😂😂😂

[@Jessicacaca00]

​@@glastonbury4304nope thats actually true

[@Peasant102]

@@glastonbury4304 That depends on which side you are on, unfortunately REAL news is NOT on our MSM.

[@Squodgamullis]

@@glastonbury4304, can you demonstrate that this claim is fake? I have now seen it repeated on multiple platforms. This doesn't prove its veracity, of course, but one can't just reflexively say "Fake news!" and expect to be believed.

[@ianrose56]

​@glastonbury4304 Actually, factually true.. Go Google it.. The truths out there...

[@Mark-c9h3l]

SOME freedom of expression, SOMETIMES for SOME people in a country is NOT freedom of expression at all.

[@thestandupphilosophers]

If you only have free speech within the law, then your speech isn't free.

[@SubjectiveFunny]

Nobody is making the argument we have free speech. This country has never had free speech.

[@The_Bean_Head_Men]

It feels as if Britain has fallen, it makes me feel sick to my stomach.

[@Critical-Thinker895]

It has.

[@alexashworth3119]

Get up. Why does the US always have to be the one leading the way? We've lost some freedoms here but it's still the freest nation on Earth. Don't hate--imitate. The last thing they're trying to take from you is your speech, I'd go ahead and use the hell out of it. They can't silence everyone all at once and at the end of the day the government is a slave to the people. Freedom isn't an American thing it's a human thing. 🤷‍♂️ learn 👉 🇺🇸

[@TauvicRitter]

London has fallen

[@Jin-Ro]

Did you vote Labour or Tory?

[@The_Bean_Head_Men]

@@Jin-Ro reform

[@Cheers22283]

"From the river to the sea" was (and perhaps still is) perceived as highly offensive and threatening by the majority of an ethnic group. There was no coercive response to these chants and banners from the authorities.

[@therealunclevanya]

Because a protected class said it. Meanwhile Sam Melia is in jail for 2 years for saying "it's okay to be white"

[@cgisme]

But Netanyahu and his generals have used that phrase with impunity

[@veronho1ness]

Well, as the police officer said, "You have to understand the context when pointing out someone waving a Swastika Flag"

[@Interdiction]

@@therealunclevanya He is a political prisoner

[@andybraid4263]

Two teir keir doesnt care..

[@FordForTheWin]

We are spiralling into tyranny.

[@Brookspirit]

Have spiraled.

[@Dwd84]

We ARE in tyranny.

[@TheBitcoinExperience]

We've been in it for decades. You just didn't realise it

[@williamthomas2830]

It’s been like this for years for many people in the UK, but now it’s upscaled to the mass majority.

[@michaelatlas2341]

During WW2 the UK had maybe 1 million+ Muslims in their army. It was a long time coming.

[@espendahl9719]

Throw out criminals in prison to make room for keyboard warriors. What a joke.

[@juliaw7533]

👏👏👏

[@RobertMunro-wb6jb]

Would those keyboard warriors be the ones I have saw attacking people based on race and attacking police and setting fire to public property and looting shops ? Those keyboard warriors? What if these keyboard warriors are the ones influencing this criminal behaviour????

[@icekitty400]

Yeah and we're going to be more safer with all these released convicts.

[@steves1015]

@RobertMunro-wb6jb I guess you didn't watch the video. The keyboard warriors who weren't even at the riots. I don't think many people would be upset with the looters and rioters getting jail time.

[@annaverano5843]

​@RobertMunro-wb6jb why did blm get away with it and the pro Palestine protesters and left leaning politicians along with their lefty supporters can say anything hateful towards the other side and they have immunity and are protected. You can't say anything about them or point out their hypocrisy now because it will be a hate crime . How is that even ok

[@alextang1030]

I am from Hong Kong and I feel like I am running from one shit hole to a bigger shit hole.

[@notanostrichcarter2297]

Yes!! Ironically, people in Hong Kong have much more basic freedom than people in the UK and in most other so-called 'developed' Western countries. HK is a great place.

[@longiusaescius2537]

@alextang1030 if you're in a Chinatown in the UK you're probably better off, and if you fly to Mexico you can just move here to the us by walking across

[@raymonray5444]

George Orwell: Nineteen Eighty-Four ‘It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.’

[@terryteztattersall]

It's taken 76 years from the year of publishing but it's definitely here.

[@rjb10101]

winston,,,, re-write that please

[@hitpat6179]

George was a ABSOLUTE GENIUS!!! Hats off!! Bravo bravo George!!

[@12235117657598502586]

George Orwell wasn’t just an author… He was a Prophet!

[@mihohobaba]

George Orwell, the life long socialist

[@brianslowik69]

The "insulting" part is the most ridiculous law I've ever heard. I saw a man arrested for hold a sign that read "Hammas is terrorist". That's a fact. Maybe a terrorist was insulted. But when others hold signs saying "Far right thugs, Nazi's, etc." and aren't arrested, something is off. I'm sure there are many people on the right that take offense and insult from being called Nazi's, etc. I have no knowledge of UK law, but to me this law shows the stupidity of the law makers/ law enforcers.

[@BlueInk912]

If your country gov deemed an org a t3rro org.. I don't believe you are against that country's law.

[@Drinkingyoursaltytearsallah]

In contrast, a man with a palestinian flag turned up at an anti immigration protest, he was pointed to the march location by a policeman, later after taunting the protesters, he was given a hands off police escort out of the area.

[@dr.dealgood2690]

It's not stupidity. It's done very consciously and deliberately. Precisely to silence one group but not another.

[@brianslowik69]

@BlueInk912 not sure if your point,. I'm against any law/gov that is unjust, unfair, corrupt, nonsensical.

[@brianslowik69]

Arresting someone for insulting another person? Please, grow up, have some self worth and get over it. The most ridiculous law ever created by children to govern adults.

[@TheOKkittyfarm]

I think Americans and Brits have different ideas of what it means to be free. If you can't say something because it hurts someone's feelings you ARE NOT free. Sad.

[@twopeasinapod9082]

Well said.

[@Nathan-ry3yu]

Sounds like the UK has become a socialist left wing dictatorship. Communism in the making

[@metallboy25]

And as we all know, nothing hurts more than the truth.

[@batteredwarrior]

The funny thing is, the USA is rated as less free than the UK, so... Also, it depends. Hate speech infringes on the freedom of other people, therefore *isn't* "free speech".

[@dougkleen9917]

@@batteredwarrior rated by whom?

[@whiggy6976]

As Elon Musk said to the BBC "Hate speech is not the speech you hate personally just because you disagree"

[@stevep7346]

He doesn't go far enough, because he still allows for hate speech as a concept. Hate speech and freedom of speech are mutually exclusive concepts. Either you have the right to say anything, including controversial things, including things that are hateful towards any person, group, or characteristic, OR a person, or group can effectively shield themselves from criticism by characterizing your speech as "criminal hate speech." If you say, I think you should be able to express yourself, but no one should be able to say ___, you are, at best one election away from your own speech being what is used to fill in that blank by the next government.

[@MrNote-lz7lh]

Yeah. Musk is my idol, man. Like I am a huge space nerd and he's dragging us into it. But more importantly he's a major force against progressives.

[@zombies4evadude24]

Elon Musk is a hypocrite though. He puts warnings on Twitter for people saying “cisgender” which isn’t even a slur yet he “thinks” it is. He also straight up bans accounts of journalists who say bad things about him. While I agree that free speech is a net good- when its protection is enforced- lets not kid ourselves that most people are only ok with free speech until someone else says something they find offensive.

[@yotoniha]

Sure is odd how hate speech laws seem to be enforced differently depending on who says it against who

[@alexdavis1541]

Lawyers would have you believe the application of the law is objective, but it very often isn't. It is entirely subjective as soon as a piece of legislation becomes crammed with dozens of ifs and buts. This becomes especially the case with an increasingly incompetent judiciary, as well as with changing mores that result in reinterpretations of what is meant by a piece of legislation. In other words, legislation only really works in a stable and homogenous society. Something we don't have

[@Interdiction]

Two Tier Kier will not take any notice of that . He took the knee

[@FabianDialer-vw1zk]

That's exactly for what they exist. They are a tool to silence your opposition.

[@alunjones3860]

@@Interdiction As did the police, under the Tories. This has being going on for years, irrespective of whether Labour or Tory are in power.

[@peter-yc7di]

Those of us who were against hate crime laws years ago knew it would happen this way and was why we were against it. We knew it would create a multi tiered justice system

[@happydappyman]

"we have freedom of expression" > proceeds to explain why you don't.

[@Llkolii]

crazy how people twist themselves in knots to defend this nonsense

[@DavidJenkins81999]

Can we just agree that the laws we are now subjected to mean we don’t have freedom of speech….

[@aryder151]

Mate, these words are so prison-worthy! You are being man-hunted now! (Sorry, "they/them-hunted")😂😂😂

[@GeordieCorpse]

Youyr an idiot, encouraging violets your right

[@johnboyjordan1915]

Well did you seriously think that you had the freedom to harass people?

[@jsc2606]

an age old saying "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me". Fed up with all these people being "offended" yet I can't be offended by govt and bureaucrats interfering in my life without my consent.

[@sandgrownun66]

Aren't the people meant to be in charge?

[@pawelnotts]

It's the same with all public places: 'any form of rude or threatening behaviour will not be tolerated' and yet I'm supposed to just stand there and take it. All the incompetence of most services like GPs, insurance, banks etc - they can do whatever (or rather not provide me with a good service) and I'm not allowed to get upset.

[@Llkolii]

Big agree, its beyond frustrating

[@TheLukeLambert]

@@pawelnotts You can get upset, talk about your frustrations, contact NHS trusts, escalate complaints to banks and institutions, there are so many levers for you to pull when you get 'upset'. You have no clue what NHS workers have to deal with, whilst treating people that are calling them racist and bigoted things WHILST they're treating these abominations, they just meant to take it and treat this absolute melt, yeah? What a colossal bell!

[@TheLukeLambert]

I wish you were more offended by everyday issues to do something about it. Bet you voted Tory and smashed up the country, then complained they've LeT aLl ThE bOaTs In!

[@hyperkaioken4982]

More people have been arrested in the UK for tweets than in russia let that sink in

[@jellyJen2000]

Putin is patriotic & looks after his people & culture. Unlike our clowns!

[@mrt-ji9qg]

Zero people have been jailed in the UK for giving $50 to a charity to help children in Ukraine. Let that sink in.

[@jibblehardicardi3827]

And in Russia, people turn up chopped to pieces in suitcases for less.

[@jellyJen2000]

@@jibblehardicardi3827 of course they do!😂

[@mattROKX]

​@@jellyJen2000Ah yes... Looks after his people and culture by sending tens or even hundreds of thousands of Russian men to die in Ukraine... during an age where Russia already has a gender based demographic crisis. That definitely sounds like looking after your people to me!

[@Supergeologist]

George Orwell famously said 'If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear'.

[@ohdearism]

Racists tend to take that quote completely out of context.

[@barlscharkley5411]

Wouldn't it be a crime to say, "I hate dark skinned people" or "I hate Muslims"? Would it also be a crime to say, "I hate white skinned people" or "II hate Christians" ? If not, isn't that an unequal application of the law?

[@ohdearism]

@@barlscharkley5411 Why would you say or even think any of that? Just the fact that you have bothered to write that is disturbing.

[@barlscharkley5411]

@@ohdearism Isn't that your way of attempting to silence my speech?

[@GusMcGuire]

@@barlscharkley5411No it isn’t. He can’t silence your speech by replying to it because (I’m surprised this needs explaining) for others to reply to it, you need to speak to begin with. You’ve exercised your right to self expression, the respondent has expressed theirs. Democracy in action.

[@pauljohnson1664]

We haven't had free speech in the UK since Tony Blair.

[@grumpyhale821]

Freeform of expressions! What is speech?

[@GB-mu9ue]

The terms are colloquially synonymous.

[@PhattyBolger]

We've technically never had free speech in the UK. Politicians just haven't had us arrested for speaking until recently.

[@crowbar9566]

@@GB-mu9ue Synonymous in the minds of most people without legal training, but they are actually legally distinct terms.

[@1SteveSmith]

It was Tony Blair that began to hold down free speech. Research your history please Paul.

[@geoffsmith1479]

The trouble is, when the police turn a blind eye to anything the apples say or do but then arrest the oranges for being unhappy about it.

[@Diablo_Himself]

And, of course, blames the Bananas for it all!

[@Vallah100]

@@Diablo_Himselfwell that’s just bananaphobic you bigot! 😮

[@andyhorsfall9394]

Top comment

[@rtos]

Is.. mists and the rest of us...

[@matimproves]

@@Diablo_Himself what if the bananas are behaving in a way that is distressing and aggressive for apples

[@thefett1600]

Tell me you’re living under tyranny without telling me you’re living under tyranny. The UK has fallen.

[@ruthirwin8222]

As a concerned gandmother i find the PM calling me far right offensive and bullying

[@richardparmenter188]

Not just the PM, every MP (including Farage) every news channel, every news paper, every media outlet. But most worrying, every judge

[@amethystfeathers7324]

As a concerned grandmother of 6 I'm proud to be called far right when I look at the alternatives 😂

[@mort421]

just don't go looting nan you'll be fine

[@davewright9313]

​@@theoppositeopinion9290what about the thugs in Birmingham? Seems you have to be white to be a fascist

[@longiusaescius2537]

@theoppositeopinion9290 Kier said posting footage now

[@johndonson1603]

Sounds to me like everyone on the internet is in danger of being arrested.

[@Brookspirit]

Wrongthink will see you locked up in the prisons that have conveniently been emptied.

[@jasonhawkins4528]

Yep, even walking down a street soon

[@takeapictureitlllastlonger5768]

Keep calm and carry on

[@Matty12333]

Use a VPN

[@williamthomas2830]

Yes, we must warn those posting kitten videos too, they are a threat to our democracy.

[@scott_d_owens]

We're living in an increasingly authoritarian state, that's what's going on.

[@robertfarrow3218]

Are you suggesting people should be allowed to incite hatred or violence or make threats? Seems like perfectly easy laws to abide by to me.

[@fryertuck6496]

​@@robertfarrow3218Not when the definition of those laws are fluid according to the desires of a far left government in an effort to suppress free speech. These laws only apply to white British people, Muslims with swords or calling for attacks on whites are ignored.

[@disclaimer.imjokin]

Go touch grass mate. ​@@robertfarrow3218

[@buddleiabee]

Another offshoot of 2020. Black mirror - nose dive, here we come.

[@afrog2666]

It`s far worse than authoritarian, it`s rotten to the core, inflammatory and subversive, corrupted and vile.

[@FPS-tc9ns]

So happy to be an American. Theres no freedom of speech in the UK if people get arrested for stuff they say online. That is EXPRESSION.

[@sarahcrowther6267]

So WHY have these palestinian marches been allowed to take place......they have expressed a very clear hatred toward Israel and the Jewish community whom have been fearful to leave their homes.

[@iamrocketray]

I beg to differ! it's a peace march, calling for Peace in Palestine where 10's of thousands of innocent Palestinian's are being indiscriminately bombed, their homes destroyed children and women killed. You do know that Israeli people took part in that PEACE rally right alongside the Arab peoples.

[@trevorscrivens3440]

All people are equal, but some are more equal than others.

[@RadiantStar8997]

They were peaceful protests and they didn't express hatred towards Jews. They were protesting against the cruel war, occupation and oppression by Izrel. Context matters which is what Black belt barriser says.

[@derekmulready1523]

They had the Permission of your Countries law enforcement.

[@favesongslist]

@@RadiantStar8997 Are you saying shouting "From the river to the sea" is just a peaceful chant?

[@CobusGreyling]

As an ex South African lawyer, from my perspective, if a court can interpret "context" into matters related to freedom of expression, you don't have freedom of expression period. Because depending on the current government, depending on the bias of the judge, depending on whether a riot may or may not have happened recently, depending on the weather of the day- you are guilty of an offense. This kind of climate can never be said to be conducive to free speech. The safest approach for anybody is to be a good little lamb and just keep their mouth shut at all times regarding all events. That is not free speech. Simple. Edit: I made an edit showing examples from South African case law. But I deleted it because I don't want to get in trouble. So that really tells you everything you need to know. UK is on the same course. People are giving their liberties away, voluntarily voting for it. And when I say "vote for" I mean, across the world we are having to battle for basic freedoms. We are battling not with the politicians, but with our 'fellows' in the electorate. Not that Brits were happy with Starmer.

[@britishlion3600]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@Rick--A-F]

And remember to thank them while they rob you of your human rights.

[@ravenclangaming]

Why do u live there when its like that? Leave and seek freedome

[@CobusGreyling]

@@ravenclangaming It is extremely difficult to leave. Think about all the anti-immigration rhetoric going on at the moment in all Western countries. I know they are happy for people like me who are happy to integrate to come in, but at the same time, the red tape makes it extremely expensive and tedious. At the same time, you're leaving your family, friends and everything you've known behind. That being said, we are currently in the works to emigrate to Australia. It'd be America, but it's nearly impossible to get in. I will never move to the EU/UK. I would much rather take my chances in ZA than EU/UK.

[@ravenclangaming]

@@CobusGreyling why not Eastern Europe? I've been looking into that and South East Asia. Right now stuck with the tourist Visa exploit but I don't want to make the move till I get residency. I think a lot of countries aren't gonna be happy about us expats from the west so I want my paperwork to be on the level.

[@rprodgers1]

“The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final most essential command” 1984 Eric Blair

[@Someone-jf3mb]

People: Can we have freedom of speech? Gov: No, we already have freedom of speech in UK Freedom of speech in UK:

[@michaelfitzpatrick6264]

Surely these fast track courts are not allowing defendants to prepare a proper defence ??

[@blow0me]

He's behaving just like Putin....do as he says, or he will jail you, or worse.

[@susanalderson8267]

They're not allowing any defence, you're found guilty before you even see a copper.

[@cyberhodl]

easy grounds for appeal

[@sirloin8745]

That’s why the CCTV footage has been used to prosecute only the most obvious examples of rioters.

[@khalidacosta7133]

I'm assuming the guilty pleas are fast tracked.

[@colinfryett8174]

The more you take free speech away from its citizens, the more anger builds up over time.

[@caseyhayes9517]

"Anarcho-tyranny is a social condition characterized by a combination of anarchy and tyranny, where the government is simultaneously ineffective at enforcing laws against criminal behavior and overly oppressive against law-abiding citizens."

[@robertbosson5223]

'Hate crime' is open to interpretation and is truly distopian.

[@Jeffik792]

I didn’t know being insulting was a crime in this country. If so, then Starmer should be arrested for insulting the British indigenous population by calling them far right. ONE LAW FOR ALL !

[@poppletop8331]

He needs to check out the Magna Carta, no one is above the law.

[@lystic9392]

When he does, be sure to report it.

[@kierancaldwell3442]

Yeah it is. Section 127 of the communications act is one of the main laws they use to arrest people considered "grossly offensive". It's literally illegal to offend someone

[@christownsend-q3s]

​@@theoppositeopinion9290Naive much? It was aimed at anyone protesting.... dissent is forbidden unless you're from his preferred demographic. Wake up!

[@christownsend-q3s]

@@theoppositeopinion9290 You're being disingenuous, as far as the authorities are concerned doing either is far right. I suggest you go to school, full stop!

[@johngoodfellow168]

If you can be arrested for hate speech, Starmer should be inside for calling all of us, 'Right Wing Thugs', which is insulting and hatefull.

[@RalphRatcliff]

Notice how the language used by the " media" to report these protests has changed. The BBC news at 6 pm said " Police brace themselves for some 100 " FAR RIGHT" protests across the UK as well as 30 Counter demonstrations. ( not Left wing demonstrations). A week ago, these would have called " anti immigration" demonstrations but not far right. Two Tier Kier has changed the language almost overnight.

[@johnLee-qm7pm]

I agree with you but you must never forget the rule book ?

[@BlookbugIV]

How many people have been arrested in the uk for violent anti-white or far-left rhetoric. If it’s more than zero, I’d be amazed.

[@The1stAviator]

As should the Met Police Chief Constable for calling people "Extreme Right Wing".

[@LesHuntKu]

​@@paarker Apparently his Father was a "Tool Maker". Just saying.

[@jim-bob-outdoors]

Strange how they get these guys into court so fast, yet get burgled and the best you will get is a crime number. 🙄 2 tier policing, yes it does exist in more ways than you think.

[@peteratkin3788]

are you ok, you seem to be specking weird.

[@dh2032]

yes, et burgled , to any chance, you need film them doing it? you need there finger prints, ideally all 8 finger and 2 thumbs, and signed confession, and just maybe you might some to show up? you still got get in a court still though

[@icantthinkofaname9935]

OMG! THANK YOU SO MUCH! nobody has mentioned this before, why is it that these rioters/protesters whatever you wanna call them haven't gotten sentenced and charged within a few days? I'm pretty sure this has NEVER happened before, even peadophiles and murderers don't get sentenced within a few days, hang on how did they even get a jury together that quickly? How long has it been going on for 5 days? I'm genuinely so confused is this even physically possible? Someone please explain why they haven't been remanded in custody until trial just like many worser criminals because idk much about the law at all but surely they don't normally sentence someone that quickly?

[@Kx0195]

Of course it exists. Those saying it doesn't are trying to state something as a fact which is not based in the reality that everyday taxpayers see. Such a ridiculous statement for them to even say. Seems like everything in modern society is designed to make you question your own reality, just constantly gaslighting everyone.

[@Kx0195]

​@@peteratkin3788what? Everything they wrote made sense, even if not perfectly grammatically correct.

[@inflex4456]

Geez, that was depressing to watch. Condolences to ppl living in UK at the moment.

[@EdwardLindon]

All of them? 🤔 Or just the ones you "identify with"?

[@jona826]

Seems like BBB is basically saying Freedom of Speech isn't dead but to avoid getting into any trouble it's safer to just SHUT UP.

[@jasonhawkins4528]

@@Brookspirit And North Korea

[@sahhull]

@@Brookspirit They were only following orders.

[@mojo-zombie]

@@sahhull so are the police now

[@eliaspanayi3465]

Yeah unfortunately that's just where the law is in this country right now.

[@neilmcdougall4927]

silence is automatic consent? how convenient to enforce

[@jonathonmeyers9581]

War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. UK has freedom of speech. Makes sense when you see it that way.

[@YourMum-ed8jq]

Damn right. I felt I had more freedom of expression when I lived in China for gods sake! At least I knew what would get me a knock on the door for posting there!

[@MaxSMoke777]

LOL, beautifully said!

[@ohdearism]

Correct, you do have freedom of speech, but with that freedom comes responsibilities, as it can carry serious consequences if used to wilfully harm others. This is why we have libel laws for defamation, which can and does often lead to the unwarranted ruining of people's lives, reputations and businesses, or even put their lives at risk. Example: you can't just call your neighbour a paedophile on a public forum without serious consequences, especially if he isn't. It can also lead to the loss of a home by the perpetrator, and I would imagine a lot of regret throughout the rest of their life. Ignorance of the law and why it exists, leads to brain farts.

[@Trader_Spiderman]

What do you mean. Slavery of Speech?

[@stephenswift9896]

​@@ohdearismNo, we don't. Look at Count Dankula. If someone like him can make a clear joke mocking nazis but is arrested and forced to pay a fine in order to avoid prison time, that is not free. If a man can prey in his head (Adam Smith Connor) because he disagrees with abortion and gets arrested and imprisoned for years for it then it is not free.

[@fatheadcat9958]

The problem with UK law is that there is so much cross over and overlap that the prosecutors can charge you with whatever they wish to retrofit.

[@mightyatom1404]

If they write it, they can make it fit. You just have to abide by their writings 🙄

[@AlexMaden]

"Hatecrime" is just a way to infringe on free speech. I prefer America's take on free speech.

[@jameznash]

they gave a rapist 6 months jail time for repeatedly raping a child under 14 then gave a woman 12 months for using bad words in a facebook post.

[@riaan2540]

Is suspect a lot of these people are nonces

[@capitalb5889]

But are either of those examples actually true?

[@Diablo_Himself]

Ah, but... The Woman was White and the Rapist was a Muslim. Preferential treatment, you see.

[@KM-es3iv]

​@capitalb5889 Yes. In Hamburg 9 men were found guilty of gang raping a 15 year old girl. One was jailed for 2+ years. The other 8, found guilty remember, were released with no jail time. A woman who called them "freaks" and "disgusting pigs" online was jailed. 140 other people are being investigated for posts online.

[@thecynicinthedark4339]

​@@capitalb5889Yes, they are. Easily found with a quick google search

[@humphrey4976]

This is outrageous. We are living in a police state and there is nothing we can do about it.

[@mywestsussex5749]

Wrong you can vote with your common sense unlike stupid labour voters now they will rue the day !!

[@joanneblowey3001]

Are we allowed to talk about it?

[@johnhunsley8860]

How so?

[@ohsweetmystery]

You've had no weapons and no free speech for a long time and you live under more surveillance than any other country in the world. What did you think was coming?

[@gregmasseyify]

​@joanneblowey3001 it doesn't appear so!

[@Bungle-UK]

I’m gay. I criticise Islam for teaching that people like me are subhuman. Removing my right to openly push back on that would make me feel incredibly unsafe and marginalised.

[@DrBowen]

Yeah isn’t this protected?

[@Bungle-UK]

@@DrBowen There is talk of making ‘Islamophobia’ ie criticising Islam a ‘hate crime’.

[@DrBowen]

@@Bungle-UK good luck with that.

[@badfairy9554]

that's why many have come to the UK.

[@233kosta]

​@@badfairy9554It's a huge part of why I'm looking to leave 🤣

[@JosephEllis-ep7sg]

The problem is that the British police have a long standing record of deliberately misinterpreting and applying laws to situations that they simply do not apply to.. the word "insulting" is way to wide and doesn't differentiate between wether something is true or not leaving it entirely upbto the supposed victim to dictate wether it's a crime or not

[@deniseg-hill1730]

Im 74 when i think of conversations we had in the 80s in the Poly i attended (now a University) nobody complained about someone they disagreed with, they would argue their point. There were no safe spaces, micro aggressions and no platforming or any of that BS. We had lunchtime lectures from reps from the government, the pharmaceutical industry, Agricultural industry, Food industry, Medical profession Financial institutions, nuclear industry etc. There were very lively debates after the speakers had finished. How things have changed for the worst.

[@Zantorc]

I'm 68 and agree. It seems the younger generation have been made psychologically fragile whereas we were made robust. Furthermore this has been quite deliberate.

[@Scott-up3bq]

Yes Freud indeed

[@hounsdjentlow3074]

We've grown up in a world in ecconomic distress while being told about how "problematic" our history is, how we are all sexists and ate oppressors of X group. We have watched people cherry pick and rewrite our history, tear down our monunents and crush our culture. But we are waking up, we see what is happening around us.

[@rehabwales]

You also didn't have social media that's used to stoke up anger about "others"

[@hounsdjentlow3074]

@deniseg-hill1730 wowzers my comment was deleted. What free and decent world we live in

[@DoubleG-l3b]

how can the police stand and watch as gangs carry machetes, swords and axes and not bother to even try to intervene?

[@keithfreeman7725]

When I'm not allowed a pen knife

[@iamrocketray]

@@keithfreeman7725 You Are! as long as it's not got a locking blade and said blade is less than 75 mm(3 inches). OH and you're not threatening anyone with it!

[@moorshound3243]

​@iamrocketray yes so a tooth pick that is good for nothing.

[@iamrocketray]

@@moorshound3243 correct! except for sharpening pencils.

[@goldeneddie]

They follow orders from ABOVE. Told to stand by or charge in according to the GOVERNMENT'S agenda.

[@ItsAllJustBollox]

Starmer just insulted millions of people by saying they are right wing EDL. When is he going to be held to account.

[@Weltanschauungstheoretiker]

Comrade Joseph Starmer can do whatever he wants. He will bring REAL socialism to you.

[@AngelaH2222]

He was referring to those being violent, stop gaslighting...

[@veronho1ness]

How did Starmer know what side of the political fence these people were on. He didn't call all those who caused trouble and attacked the police during the BLM protests during the covid lockdown, violent left wing thugs. In fact he took the knee in support.

[@Maynards_so_blue]

@@AngelaH2222 he was reffering to everyone who was protesting, including mothers and fathers and old people. starmer is a vile snake

[@butchershoppequartet8690]

@@AngelaH2222 And the ones who said hurty words or wrote hurty social media words.

[@seanphurley]

I love and live in the uk, free speech is no better elsewhere in europe, but for ourselves, we need an american form of free speech. We deserve the gold standard.

[@rolandmasters105]

Every Saturday during various demonstrations I see insulting signs that are anti social and insulting and cause alarm and distress and nothing is done about it. Which has lead to people thinking this is ok

[@tony_w839]

did you report the insulting signs to the police, did the signs meet the requirements of the Act as detailed by BBB in the video?

[@johnriggs4929]

That's the argument currently raging about 'Two tier policing...' but apparently now you can be labelled 'Far Right' for even using that phrase. So now I'm far right, as well as a climate denying anti ULEZ, anti net zero, anti vax, anti lockdown Putin apologist. Never mind...

[@mountain_watcher_8730]

The signs have to be abusive and/or threatening by nature, which is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. This is a common misunderstanding of Section 5 of the public order act. Although I think it's still too restrictive.

[@veronho1ness]

​@tony_w839 When a Jewish person pointed out some waving a Swastika flag, the police officer said, "You have to take the context of why that flag was being" waved.

[@johnriggs4929]

@@BassHeartRiffs Thanks - but my comment has been deleted by yt.

[@stephenwilliams9950]

The question posed was "Is 'Freedom of Speech" dead in the UK? I would suggest yes, for the following reason : If I walk out my door one Sunday morning and I see a rose blooming in my garden; I take a photo, and think others might like to see it, and post it online, there can be nothing wrong doing this, and a law that prohibited that would be a law against Free Speech. But if on Monday I walk out my front door and see a Demonstration going past, which I am not a part of, and I think, "some people might like to see this", the new legislation says I will be arrested. All I have done is communicate a fact, that cannot be denied, because, for the record, I took a photograph of the same ; but the new legislation is making this a crime. My submission is that BBB knows this, but is choosing not to address the elephant in the room. Am I wrong?

[@regcotterill7332]

I would add, whether you were arrested would depend on what the demonstration was about.

[@dwatercraft]

@@stephenwilliams9950 100% freedom of speech and democracy don’t exist anymore, they are illusions.

[@pdarley58]

Only if you were white

[@ryanparker4996]

​@@regcotterill7332 yes, if it was approved by "The Party" then thats double-plus-good isn't it? Btw Airstrip One has always been at war with Eurasia

[@ddegn]

I'm not following. Can you give an example of what sort of photograph would get you into trouble? What sort of demonstration can't you photograph and share?

[@paulw1798]

Jail Starmer for inciting hatred against concerned indigenous people.

[@mihohobaba]

Define "concerned indigenous people"

[@eliaspanayi3465]

I'm certainly offended by starmer's threats of arrest, abusive language branding me as a thug and a racist. Perhaps I have a case against starmer, since he clearly intends to alarm me.

[@badfairy9554]

no he has not. we hate thugs any way.

[@Astro_Gardener]

And throw away the key!

[@sizenmass6777]

Yes we hate the leftie thugs for what theyve done to this country ​@badfairy9554

[@costiqueR]

It is clear that the power chooses what is "hate speech"...

[@jamessones4044]

Our govt is afraid to deal with the actual problem. This is a sad era for this once high trust society.

[@porkpie2884]

the Govt works for the actual problem

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

Violence and disorder has ensured that it's not top of their agenda which is where it should be.

[@brasdas6044]

Why you brits voted this left government with such a passion? Now take the consequences of your vote

[@longiusaescius2537]

But at least you're not speaking German right

[@porkpie2884]

@@longiusaescius2537 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Dr-EV]

Like shouting Alluha Akbar in a mob while wielding dangerous items.

[@brianpreval5602]

Which they do a lot!!

[@Dr-EV]

@@cromagnumveritas4209 The direct translation of Allahu Ahkbar is, God is GREATER or bigger.. it's a description of being more than something else, not a general status. But anyway, along with what you said, the establishment daren't admit that it's used in that way as they are obviously too scared of backlash.

[@smittykoi]

​@@Dr-EValso chanting To the river to the sea?

[@Dr-EV]

@@smittykoi It's just a case of- "how dare this very tiny and incredibly successful nation stand up to its conquest driven neighbours".

[@user-qf6yt3id3w]

Q) What is the law A) Whatever the people in power need it to be

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

Take note of the laws that the Tories passed and now Labour repeals, those are the ones that don't suit their agenda.

[@mogadon7]

REFERENDUM on MASS IMMIGRATION

[@glenwow5117]

The UK has a right LIMITED expression, not free expression. And since the politicians and judges (but I repeat myself) decide what is allowable, the right collapses to "You can say anything that doesn't make powerful people mad." So, I hope you can all have the guts to stand up and re-write your laws to have true freedom.

[@JamesHardaker]

"You have been fined 1 credit for violation of the verbal morality statute, be well"

[@jasonhawkins4528]

I like that Demolition man. "so much for the 3 shells"🤣🤣🤣

[@klawlor3659]

"Any further violations will result in your social credit score being lowered and re-education within our Ministry of Love work camp".

[@madmelwood3778]

😂😂😂

[@pennyhughes3671]

Omg you are frighteningly correct

[@klawlor3659]

@@madmelwood3778 "No laughing. No talking. Start breaking those rocks..."

[@j.burgess4459]

These "hate crime" laws were somehow never going to be applied equally, were they? As others have pointed out, when big mobs of angry people are marching in central London yelling "from the river to the sea...(etc)" this is likely cause alarm and distress to J..ish people, and to make them feel afraid, intimidated, etc. Yet it seems to me that the authorities have little or no appetite to prosecute people for doing this.

[@kgbgb3663]

There should be no such laws. Maybe the people who have removed freedom from the indigenous people between the River and the Sea might be upset by people calling for it to be restored. If so, that should be considered a rather disgraceful fact about their abnormal psychology, not a reason to ban calls for justice and human rights by decent people.

[@j.burgess4459]

@@kgbgb3663 I wasn't necessarily expressing support for the laws. My point is: they were in my opinion always intended by the people drawing them up to protect certain groups in society from criticism/abuse/hostility/dislike, etc - but not ALL groups. While there would have been uproar if some people (such as J...ish people wh1te Chri$t...s, members of the Reform Party, etc) had been explicitly excluded from protection, I believe the authorities, police, prosecutors, etc were always going to turn a blind eye if such people (or anybody else disliked by the liberal elite) is on the receiving end.

[@kgbgb3663]

@@j.burgess4459 Quite so. All such laws that claim to turn the subjective feelings of a group into objective facts that other people can be punished for are the stuff of oppression. It means that the state can pick on groups to privilege and others to punish more-or-less at will. All such laws are anti-democratic and anti-rational -- they prevent the sort of open political debate that is necessary for a country with different interest-groups to come to compromises that are tolerable to everyone. They are an immoral and deeply damaging power-grab by a discredited and decaying political class which has lost touch with the people and has no confidence in its ability to persuade by reasoned argument. My only disagreement with you is that you call our unworthy rulers "liberal" and an "elite"!

[@afrog2666]

Gotta protect all those new voters, the ones that will aid the implementation of state of emergency and military control of the masses and their previous freedom of movement and speech.

[@LearnThaiRapidMethod]

@@kgbgb3663when they (or you) are lying about the facts and inciting hatred and murder (indeed, genocide, which is what the chant actually means) then it’s hate speech, incitement to violence and public disorder, and should be banned and prosecuted against. (Fact, the Gazans or Palestinians are no more or less indigenous than the Jews, Gaza was “free” since 2005, and before that they were ruled by Egypt. But somehow nobody cares about that because there were no Jews involved - just other Arabs!

[@goodyeoman4534]

Depends what you mean be "dead." You can lose your job, get fined huge sums, and receive a criminal record and possibly do time, simply for saying the wrong thing. You don't have to incite violence and you don't have to yell "fire" in a public theatre; you just have to utter words that are not concordant with the party line. This is tyranny. Are we as far gone as Soviet Russia? No. Could we slip into that hell if we don't proactively preserve our rights? Yes.

[@geejaybee]

The consequences of such speech in Russia could be more severe, but we arrest approx 10x more people for online comments than does Russia

[@alphatoomegabeyondthematri5166]

Aboslute tyranny

[@kelly4187]

Who would have guessed that a left wing party, who only slipped through an election with a smaller vote share than at any point in the past decade, would start to crack down on ideological opponents within the first month of their term. Colour me surprised.

[@MichaelPetek]

@@geejaybee That's because people who make online comments in Russia tend to fall out of windows.

[@Charlie_Ses]

Bravo well said. We're living through a dystopian nightmare.

[@davidgorman4034]

The thing that gets me is our speech has become so incredibly heavily restricted without any real kind of national debate, and without any mainstream political force willing to take up the mantle of defending free speech. We've slid apathetically into becoming a repressive state where it's considered normal for someone to be arrested for saying the wrong thing.

[@AKUJIVALDO]

Welcome to the Sheeple land

[@greghanson7047]

We never had freedom of speech. There is no significant court case in British history that I'm aware of where someone with something unpleasant to say was protected the way our American friends are protected.

[@silverltc2729]

And that is a damn shame

[@apkk5594]

We have freedom of expression under the human rights act (that for some reason some people want removed from the UK). It's not carte blanche freedom of speech but even the US has some restrictions.

[@Matty12333]

It was a lot better in the past, now you have to be a lot more careful what you say

[@winstonc.6951]

@@apkk5594 People want it removed because, as you can see, it doesn't actually do anything. Express the wrong thought and you're in prison.

[@medler2110]

There was the case of Kate Scottow, who in 2020 appealed against her conviction under the 2003 Communications Act, after being convicted for a calling a transgender person "a pig in a wig" and other comments. from the news report. "Presiding over a case in the Court of Appeal, Lord Justice Bean and Mr Justice Warby said: 'Freedom only to speak inoffensively is not worth having.' They added that 'free speech encompasses the right to offend, and indeed to abuse another'. The judgment from two senior members of the judiciary will set a precedent for future cases involving freedom of speech."

[@Geegee-v9y]

Never has a prime minister made me so angry in my 70 years

[@Ann-qf5vk]

Me too

[@topherjn]

Do something with that anger.

[@josephturner7569]

So you want an American millionaire funded by Putin who cares nothing for you?

[@Bandanko]

WHAT!?! not even in the last 14 years you were never angry with a PM?!

[@rehabwales]

Have you been asleep for 69 years.

[@madsimoninsky]

starmer insulted me calling protesters far right

[@daffyduk77]

Because you're a rioter, or because you're far-right ?

[@madsimoninsky]

@daffyduk77 wrong none for the above

[@daffyduk77]

@@madsimoninsky If he called far-right protesters far-right, he has my backing. If he said all protesters were far right, then no. And was he referring to protesters, or rioters, looters, those who would throw bricks at police, are by definition far right ? I very much doubt it. He was DPP for long enough

[@eddiecatflap3838]

@@daffyduk77 he also ignored the evidence about Saville so he was a garbage DPP

[@rehabwales]

They are far right. They may as well wear brown shirts.

[@aceplatini859]

You spent 30 seconds saying we have free speech, then spent 17 minutes demolishing your own conclusion. Well done.

[@alx9r]

Yep. This video is astonishingly self-contradictory.

[@Eliminator5555]

​@@alx9rIndeed.

[@EdwardLindon]

You can't tell the difference between a proposition and a conclusion, so perhaps you're not the go-to guy for logical analysis.

[@eliseomartinez3258]

i thought i was the only one that this guy is a real dumb ass

[@elingrome5853]

20 years + of "the long march through the institutions" - while we were laughing at woke students, they went on to graduate and run the institutions of state...

[@madmelwood3778]

Yep

[@goldeneddie]

🎯

[@marktyler3381]

I was forced out of a pgce because I wasn't compliant with their post modernist worldview. It is enforced.

[@steveclark..]

How on earth can you be onside with the thoughts in your own head being illegal? That woman praying silently for example, that should never have gone to court

[@ajb-64]

China has its admirers, especially among our ruling class it seems

[@jimg9820]

She knew it wasn't allowed where she did it, but did it anyway. The law doesn't like you taking the micky.

[@Matconrov]

Personally I think it would be best if someone didn't pray near an abortion clinic. But I certainly wouldn't arrest them or question them for it

[@kelly4187]

Plus unless she admitted it, they could never prove she was praying. “Nah mate I was reading all the signs” or “Nah mate I was just pondering which would be worse: being dismembered by scissors before birth and sucked up a hoover, or making it to 7 years old and having your lunatic mother convincing a doctor to give your drugs and surgery to sterilise you because you looked sideways at a Barbie doll once about 5 years ago, when you were just gay”

[@tony_w839]

should women be free to have medical treatment without harassment? or should people be free to harass women getting medical treatment.

[@kurtklingklang5918]

We don’t have ‘freedom of speech’ Not for a long time We only have ‘permitted’ speech. There are numerous protected groups that you are treading on very dodgy ground speaking against them. There is also discrimination against certain groups and not others. In fact, the UK citizenry do not have any ‘rights’ at all; certainly not to anything useful. Only permissions to do certain things, which can be withdrawn on a whim by government.

[@MrDblStop]

We have the Human Rights Act, which if a government were to try to undermine, we would then have recourse to the European Court of Human Rights.

[@MrEdrftgyuji]

​@MrDblStop Good luck with that, unless you have a spare million or so to pay for your legal representation. That doesn't apply, of course, if you are a immigrant. As then you get automatic legal aid and an army of lawyers willing to represent you for free.

[@RusBufton]

@@MrDblStop "the European Court of Human Rights" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Good luck with that!

[@CT-uv8os]

Your government obviously doesn't give a hoot about the rights of children either by the looks of it. Stamer must be a customer. That explains his actions. Just sayin.

[@MrDblStop]

@@RusBufton Do you have something specific to say or do you just think you're being funny? You seem to not know what you're talking about so I'll assume it's the latter. Google the UK's Human Rights Act, the content of which is based on the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights. Find out for yourself what this means, rather than relying on populist soundbites from people who are lying to you and don't care one bit about your rights.

[@jilljones6541]

Thank you once again ! In today’s environment, so many of us needed this help in order to continue communicating with our friends on topical matters - if we don’t have an outlet amongst ourselves regarding our anguish of certain restrictions being placed upon us, the anger mounts up within us. We needed clear and concise guidelines which you have kindly explained to us. You do, and have, helped us tremendously in understanding where we stand within the framework of the law. Thank you.

[@michaelfitzpatrick6264]

Are human rights not being breached ??

[@brunobastos5533]

more and more , with freedom of speech being one of the most restricted with escuse of protecting minorities

[@daveh3971]

The ECHR was set up after WW2 to try to protect people's rights against the state to try to prevent another fascism or communism from arising. Now it's inverted and it's used to protect minorities and criminals by the state at the expense of the majority. For example in 2003 the then Labour government was sued for trying to restrict aid given to destitute asylum seekers if they hadn't applied for asylum early enough. The government's restriction was deemed a breach of their human rights. And that's partially why we put anyone who arrives on a dinghy up in a Premier Inn at taxpayer expense these days. Ironically the barrister who won that case was Keir Starmer.

[@garyboyle695]

So you think it's your right to hurl abuse at others? So sad.

[@darthtiberius3716]

@@garyboyle695 where did the adjective hurt you big guy?

[@brunobastos5533]

@@garyboyle695 what abuse no one is speaking about threatening

[@chamberpot969]

Two-tier Keir is making up law to criminalise dissent.

[@daffyduk77]

That's if you believe a far-right Billionaire with Twitter in his pocket. He just wants more division to get more people arguing on Twitter/X. We should just ignore the sc*m

[@Si74l0rd]

No surprise from the legal counsel to the special demonstration squad back in the day. He's a soulless man who enabled police abuses then, and no doubt will continue to use the law to suppress and marginalise whoever he deems to be undesirable.

[@iancormie9916]

Two-tier apparently has a great deal of difficulty telling what is a woman or the anatomical differences between a man and a woman so a degree of confusion is perhaps understandable. Consider what Churchill had to say about many things, he would no doubt be considered a criminal rather than one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century. Remember, we have now reached the point where, according to various, self appointed activists, silence is violence.

[@leighwallis5782]

​@@Si74l0rd🎯

[@marumaru6084]

I can see that such a law only works on fear, and given the level of intolerance to twoTierKeir I can not see it working in anyway due the numbers required.

[@sleekspook1655]

Starmer stated his intent and arrogance when he removed three whips for disagreeing with him. I thought that was the whole point of democracy!

[@Amy-ONENEWSEXTRA]

I find it offensive to be referred to as a far right thug by a PM isn’t this a hate crime

[@richardcurrinn9880]

Yes it is I agree with you 100 percent you try and get that in court I'd support you all the way I bet they won't do a thing

[@Belladonna-Binx]

A man that punched a policeman which I’m by no means condoning gets 3 years yet the guy that punched the police and breaking a policewoman nose at Manchester airport isn’t even charged?? How can that possibly be right

[@modestproposal9114]

How is it right for you to spread lies? What's your motive for your lying?

[@s.h.6858]

​@@modestproposal9114methinks you protest too much...

[@modestproposal9114]

@s.h.6858 no, i think i was very restrainted given the dispicable garbage you wrote.

[@Clare0116]

​@@modestproposal9114 That is the truth! Why do you spread lies?

[@s.h.6858]

@@modestproposal9114 methinks you missed the reference.

[@bonesknowspod]

The laws in our country drive me nuts! Having anything based on the perception of anyone else is just nonsense!

[@limitedrespawns]

"From the river to the sea" incites genocide and yet none were arrested

[@franklynrizzo8328]

No one should be arrested for speech criticizing government policy or national interest. Jesus Christ Britain.

[@AndyTaylor-k1n]

So you have freedom of speech as long as nobody hears anything you say. If an American watched this you may kill him by him laughing so hard at how pathetic English law is. 😔

[@kristylopez6869]

Seeing this happen from across the pond is eye-opening. I've been under the apparently mistaken impression that there's no tangible difference in free speech laws between our two countries until now. The more offensive speech is, the more in need of our 1st amendment protections it is. And the remedy for "bad" speech is more "good" speech- not throwing citizens in jail. I hope my fellow Americans are paying attention to what's going over there, because the minute we become complacent, the same could happen to us.

[@AndyTaylor-k1n]

@@kristylopez6869 the uk is a police state. We can literally be arrested at anytime for saying anything. We have more arrests for speech offenses than Russia. There is no free speech in uk and never has been. There’s no written constitution. Christopher hitchens attempted a free speech law in the 80s called charter 88. Nobody in uk was interested in free speech law as they thought they’d never need it.

[@2xjsf83f2]

​@kristylopez6869 i genuinely view the usa as my country, its not. I was born in the uk and spent my whole life here. But when theres a brit and an American in a race in the Olympics i wonna see the American win.

[@kristylopez6869]

@@2xjsf83f2 I do this every time Germany plays us in the World Cup and then feel guilty about it, lol.

[@chimpana]

​@@2xjsf83f2 you should try visiting. It's not the nirvana you think it is.

[@danwilliams1511]

How did that man as Scottish minister get away with his ‘white’ speech

[@allencoward5282]

Because on becoming first minister, he allowed a prayer meeting to be filmed in the Caninet Room.

[@jasonhawkins4528]

He is one of the top elites

[@dogmadogma5398]

Because it was a "WHITE" speech. No other color could be treated this way

[@anneg5720]

Because being white and abused doesn't count , that's privilege 😂

[@fullstackweebdev]

Because he’s Muslim

[@kylewagner6148]

As an American, I'd LOVE to see them try and extradite me for berating them for their injustice. Thank God for the first Ammendment!

[@lofi-kaveh]

As a Brit, I'm starting to envy you

[@alistair1978utube]

Your imaginary friend in the sky was responsible for that document?

[@JohnColorado3811]

​​@@alistair1978utube James Madison primarily as well as a few others were responsible for drafting it. You didn't think he was talking about the 10 commandments did you?

[@wednesdayschild3627]

James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton tried to improve the previous articles of confederation.

[@marianmoses9604]

I agree. Here in Texas we say “Come and Take It.” In this instance I’ll modify that slightly to “Come and Take Me.” Warning: We have the Second Amendment here in the “colonies” and are heavily armed - so good luck with that!

[@joelwgraves]

“Don’t say anything if you’re not sure.” This is the heckler’s veto on speech. Combine this with disallowed speech being established by a subjective analysis of the offenders intent compared against the subjective feelings of the offended. And he calls it a question of fact. Madness.

[@ANYTHING-AND-EVERYTHING.]

Labour politicians saying the right shouldn't get NHS treatment Is causing me alarm and distress.

[@jackmarshall2496]

Yet certain hotels get their own full time live in doctors? It's so distressing that all you can do is laugh. This is pure speculation but it makes me think there is already prioritisation of patients on the NHS too. I cant see them daring to suggest that if you don't have a particular opinion you'll be refused health service. But who's to say that they don't give you an appointment later or that you'll be perpetually pushed back because you've been flagged as a political radical? It would be so easy to do and so hard to verify that it's terrifying.

[@talibong9518]

No one gets NHS treatment now, they're so inefficient and wasteful that it'd be cheaper for everyone in the country to go private instead of wasting tax money on a system that neglects us.

[@kierancaldwell3442]

And they claim to be the peaceful and kind group

[@IparIzar]

If the country doesn't serve you, should you serve the country?

[@garyboyle695]

The funny thing is that the ones that spew the hate are the very ones who complain when someone says something they dont agree with.

[@ianhandforth5672]

the far left,,

[@jasonhawkins4528]

The left

[@madmelwood3778]

😂😂😂yep

[@jimmychalmers8733]

Free speech is the right to criticise it's that simple and that seems to be taken away from the English. Anyone else can criticise but not us.

[@sahhull]

Its only certain imported demographic that we cannot criticise

[@jimmychalmers8733]

@@sahhull we cannot criticise islam. What countries can you not criticise a religion.. in countries without free speech. We cannot criticise the boats. We cannot criticise trans people. We couldn't even criticise covid when it was around

[@aneurindavies5943]

Thanks for the educational insight into the law of free speech from the Black Belt Barrister.

[@fieldmojo5304]

The law is broad enough and selectively enforced enough that the government has essentially outlawed criticism.

[@StrangeTapes]

* says someone who has just criticised the government.

[@VinnieRM]

As someone who is Jewish. Ive put up for months with so called peaceful Pally marches!!!

[@jasonhawkins4528]

And they didn't blink an eye when they showed from river to the sea on big ben, which is disgusting. Talk about 2 tier

[@sahhull]

We all know the demographic that shall not become upset. This is all to ensure they are kept happy at all costs.

[@crowbar9566]

From the Atlantic to the North Sea Great Britain shall be free. 🇬🇧♥️🇮🇱

[@kindlyignore]

Yes apparently not "all communities" deserve to be protected

[@crowbar9566]

@@kindlyignore They let most warlike community, the muslims, play the victim card all the time.

[@johndoeboston123]

So, it's a crime to publicly _insult_ somebody? Hard to believe that place was the original cradle of liberty, centuries ago.

[@michaelsteane9926]

Calling people "the far right" or "right wing thugs" seems to be okay though.