Government officials have drawn up deeply controversial proposals to broaden the definition of extremism to include anyone who “undermines” the country’s institutions and its values, according to documents seen by the Observer.
The new definition, prepared by civil servants working for cabinet minister Michael Gove, is fiercely opposed by a cohort of officials who fear legitimate groups and individuals will be branded extremists.
The proposals have provoked a furious response from civil rights groups with some warning it risks “criminalising dissent”, and would significantly suppress freedom of expression.
One Whitehall official said: “The concern is that this is a crackdown on freedom of speech. The definition is too broad and will capture legitimate organisations and individuals.”
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Internal departmental documents marked “official – sensitive” says the proposed definition could “frame a new, unified response to extremism”. It lists a number of organisations which it considers would be “captured” by the new definition.
Among them are the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), Palestine Action and Mend, which has featured at some Conservative party conference fringe events and in 2021 provided evidence to parliamentary committees.
wouldn’t calling bbc woke and threatening to gut it be considered undermining british institutions?
I like your thinking!
Let’s be honest, British traditions including being fair and helping people, so the Tories are guilty of torpedoing that.
I mean Boris did lie to the Queen, and you don’t get more of a British institution then the monarchy
Or calling the NHS expensive and inneficient. Underfunding it would be extremism as well.
Or opposition parties calling for a election or votes of confidence against the government
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The BBC is a massive asset to the UK. It projects a soft power across the world, and even brings in a cash return for it. Where it fails is in the structuring process. This government has abused its control over it. The party in power should not have sole discretion over employment roles within the BBC. It is very evident how biased the BBC has become because of this.
My opinion would be set up a cross party group. One that controls both budgets and key role appointments.