Support from Lord Alton of Liverpool

Lord Alton of Liverpool, Independent Crossbench Peer, has sent us this message:

I have opposed legislation like the Religious Hatred laws, not because I think that people should be indifferent to the offence caused when we pour vitriol on someone else's cherished beliefs, but because I oppose further restrictions of free speech. Not to do so would be a gross betrayal of those who, in previous generations, sacrificed their lives for the liberties we enjoy today. We should be particularly mindful that it is always much easier for Governments to impose restrictions than it is to subsequently remove them