http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3762428
Quote:
UK Independence Party MEP Nigel Farage tonight condemned a court ban on the Belgian far-right Flemish nationalist party Vlaams Blok as an incitement to extremism and possibly violence.
Mr Farage, who leads UKIP’s 11 Euro-MPs in Strasbourg, said last week’s ban was of serious concern to everyone who believed in democracy.
Addressing the Strasbourg chamber he went on: “The Belgian Supreme Court has upheld a previous ruling that declares the Vlaams Blok a criminal organisation and effectively bans it.
“Nobody in my Group (UKIP) supports the ideology or the practice of the Vlaams Blok, but in a democracy that is not the point. It is for the electorate and not the courts to make political decisions, and actions such as this can only increase political extremism and perhaps the use of violence.”
Mr Farage went on: “Today these events have taken place in Belgium, but tomorrow it could be the European Union.
|
I thought that he put it well, although I don't know the details of
why the party was banned. Obviously we should worry about attacks on democracy, but I would hope that this kind of action wouldn't be taken unless the party was actually acting in a dangerous manner. I need to look INTO phpbb_it more I think.
Quote:
Labour Euro-MP Richard Corbett dismissed Mr Farage’s fears for free speech tonight, saying: “It is notable that UKIP, which claims not to be a far-right party, should take the trouble to take up the issue of the Vlaams Blok on the floor of the Strasbourg chamber.
“There is no issue for democracy here. The Vlaams Blok was found guilty of racism – something which is outlawed in almost all our countries. That is why it was a matter for the courts.”
|
I can't believe that they actually asked for an opinion from Richard Corbett of all people. This must be standard practice now. Every time someone from UKIP is quoted, they get a response from the uber-europhile. Still I suppose at least it is balanced coverage.