Forum Topic

MP Steps in To Prevent Talk By Right Wing Polish Author

Well done MP Rupa Huq! You have saved me the bother of having to go and hear this man and form my own opinions.

Andy Herrick ● 2990d10 Comments

well if breitbart thinks he is ok then perhaps Rupa was right!!

Peter Chadburn ● 2961d

Breitbart has a piece about this:http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/19/kassam-southern-sellner-and-pettibone-but-have-you-heard-of-polish-right-winger-rafal-ziemkiewicz/

Andy Herrick ● 2961d

Rupa Huq is the enemy of free speech whether by pro-lifers in Mattock Lane or by a Pole in a pub. Left means less liberty. OTOH I am thankful for Steve Pound as my MP.

Graham Weeks ● 2982d

The broader issue is why Rupa Huq thinks it's appropriate to call for bans on people without presenting any evidence there is a risk of the law being broken by such speeches, which is the usual test applied to foreign speakers wishing to address public gatherings in this country.

Vlod Barchuk ● 2982d

The views of anyone who thinks 'Muslims run this country' can be safely dismissed. I'm not familiar enough with the opinions of Rafał Ziemkiewicz to know whether it is a good thing or a bad thing that he didn't get to speak in Acton. It should be noted that he wasn't actually banned but the venue became unavailable. As this happened elsewhere and presumably the purpose of his UK tour was to promote book sales he ended up not coming. I doubt the Belvedere's management were unaware of the man's views as he is quite a high profile figure in Poland. It is possible that the reason they cancelled the event is concerns over future issues they may have with licensing renewal if they have attracted the wrath of the local MP. Probably sensible on their part but it is a business rather than a political decision.The broader issue is whether our MP is setting the bar too low when it comes to who should and shouldn't be allowed to speak. For instance we have significant Armenian and Ukrainian communities here and if a nationalist speaker from one of those countries wanted to speak over here would that be problematic too?

Andy Jones ● 2984d

Thanks to Sarah Vickers for sharing her Polish friend's prejudiced views about Muslims and minorities (does that include eastern Europeans?).I am a UK citizen and have a vote and on this occasion I think one of our local MPs has done a good job of protecting the interests of local people from racists who are also colour prejudiced - the most ignorant and hateful of all.I am not a fan of Islamic fundamentalists either but I actually feel very offended that the 'Polish friend' can speak in such a way of a hard working MP who was born in this country. It is actually nauseating to see these views here on the forum.If she is that pissed off about missing out on the latest developments of far right politics 'back home' there is one obvious solution....

M Powes ● 2986d

Once again the left is the enemy of freedom.

Graham Weeks ● 2989d

I sent the front page article to my very good Polish friend who sent this reply:  THat shows you that Muslims run this country. Marian Kowalski is a racist moron but Ziemkiewicz is a serious right wing journalist and author. Respected in Poland for his views. I m sure he was not meant to talk about English mess with minorities but about polish situation back home. I’m really pissed of now, thx.

Sarah Vickers ● 2990d

I also remember a certain hook handed berk being allowed to preach divisive hatred in public and over many months, and even having traffic diverted so that his zombies could occupy the road on which he did it. Under a Labour government too.

Keith Iddon ● 2990d

It does appear that she has jumped the gun a bit on this. From what I can find on line this man has some views which some people might find unpalatable but compared to some of the people the leader of the Labour Party has been prepared to share a platform with he is the Dalai Lama.

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 2990d