I’m normally slightly sceptical of the value of Early Day Motions; too few of them justify the £627,000 that they cost the taxpayer in 2005/6. But one put down today by Paul Goodman and Michael Gove, two of the most decent men in the House, makes an important statement:
Personally, I don’t agree with everything that Ayaan Hirsi Alis has said—and neither do the MPs who’ve tabled this motion for that matter—but she has a right to her views and a right to express them freely. While there is a threat to her, she should be protected.“This House, recognising that freedom of speech within the law and freedom from violence and intimidation are indispensable preconditions of a free society, deeply regrets the decision of the Dutch Parliament and Government to withdraw protection abroad from Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the author, film-maker and former politician, and urges both bodies to reverse this decision forthwith.”
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