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IN a hard-hitting statement, Solidarity Trade Union has called for an end to all political show-trials in Britain.
The union also compared the persecution of some trade unionists in ‘democratic’ Britain to that suffered by political dissidents in National Socialist Germany and the Soviet Union.
And it has called for civil and religious liberties for all.
The statement came from STU General Secretary Patrick Harrington. He was speaking after seeing fellow trade unionist – and President of STU - Adam Walker cleared in a freedom of expression case.
Speaking about political show-trials, Mr. Harrington said:
“There seems to be a pattern emerging here. It’s looking like senior – and active - members of the British National Party are being targeted by both employers and some unions.
Is this a deliberate policy? If so, we’ll fight this tooth and nail. As a union we’ll support all our members – and workers generally (of whatever political or faith background) - by protecting their individual and collective rights.”
Mr. Harrington called for an end to political show-trials.
However, he said that the Adam Walker case would probably not be the last. He questioned who would be the next victim.
“What are these employers and establishment unions going to do next? Will they spy on dissidents at their place of work? Will they check every e-mail or key stoke that they make? Or will they carry out time and motion studies on specific out-of-favour individuals?”
He noted that these were tactics that the Gestapo or KGB would be proud of.
He urged all workers, but especially nationalist and patriotic workers, to “insure themselves” by joining Solidarity Trade Union.
“Solidarity is an independent, autonomous, nationalist union. We reject the shallow internationalism of existing trade unions. Unlike other unions don’t discriminate on political grounds.”
He said that wouldn’t be surprised if there were more political show-trials in the future.
“I’m more than happy to represent any victim of a political show-trail. It doesn’t matter who is involved – I’m not interested in their politics, race, religion, ethnicity, culture or sexual orientation. Precedents set against one group will later be used against others.
What is at stake here is freedom of expression. Surely freedom of expression is a universal right? Surely trade unionists have the right to hold and express any political opinion?
An attack on one union member’s freedom of expression is an attack on us all. We must work to reverse the existing bans on political membership in the Police and Prison Service and resist any further encroachments. If we don't do it, who will?”
Our General Secretary concluded by extensively quoting Nathalie Rothschild, commissioning editor for Spiked. (She is also on the committee of the Institute of Ideas’ annual festival the Battle of Ideas).
In an article last month, Who made the BNP into free-speech martyrs? Ms Rothschild noted:
“Even a brief survey of the kind of words, opinions and behaviours that have either been banned or have come to be regarded as socially unacceptable shows that no one can presume to be safe from censorship these days. Across commercial, governmental, political and public spheres, an array of ideas and attitudes are being forced out by formal and informal regulations and pressures.
In what Mick Hume has labelled today’s ‘You Can’t Say That’ culture, it is generally believed that the gaffe-prone and those with unconventional views – whether on race, politics, religion, climate change or civil liberties – should be silenced, muffled or banished from polite society rather than openly argued against, agreed with, ridiculed or celebrated.
Far from defending people’s right to hold and express any view they want, so-called progressives have backed the ‘You Can’t Say That’ culture – and they have done so in the name of liberalism, in the name of safeguarding tolerance and diversity and protecting what they regard as a sensitive and impressionable public from unhealthy views and lifestyles. Anyone who stands up for the right to believe whatever you want, to speak your mind, to listen to any views, to read any books and observe any art, tends increasingly to be regarded as an irresponsible, dangerous extremist.”
To read Nathalie Rothschild’s thought-provoking article in full, click here:
http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/8896/
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