The Last Ditch by Tom Paine

It's a relief, after feeling so out of line with modern British thought during the last weekend, to hear a modern Brit express views that seem healthy and sane. Here's Rowan Atkinson on the subject of free speech and, more specifically, the campaign to reform section 5 of the Public Order Act.

And here's the PC Savage sketch he mentions.

It's instructive that the Public Order Act dates from 1986. The police have had the ability to charge people with public order offences for "insult" since then but have only begun to do so in recent years as the "outrage industry" has gained traction. When civil liberties issues are raised about new legislation and you think the concerns are over-stated, please remember this. You may see no immediate change in your life, but every new law adds to the stack of weaponry available to the authoritarians amongst us.

Like Mr Atkinson, I support the campaign to reform section 5. If you have a blog, please consider doing so there too. If you have a Twitter account, please tweet your support. If you have any friends, please tell them about it over a pint or a glass of wine.

h/t Velvet Glove, Iron Fist