There’s room for political diversity

I’VE read there is a proposed counterprotest event in the works called: ‘Dundee for Diversity, Not Farage’, to coincide with the Brexit Party event at the Caird Hall on September 12.

My interpretation of “diversity” is there are many different ideas or opinions about something. I strongly believe there is room for political diversity, lest we end up living in a OneParty-State where that One party determines what is, and is not, fit for public consumption.

I respect the right to protest, as long as it remains civil and peaceful. However, people should not be put off attending the event for fear of intimidation, and I welcome the comments from an organiser of the counter-protest that signalled the wish to avoid any foolish actions (such as milkshake throwing etc).

A point that never seems to be reported, in relation to the Brexit Party, is it fielded a diverse list of candidates at the recent EU election including class, gender, ethnicity, and traditional left-to-right wing views. However, that perhaps does not fit the narrative when it is easier, and lazier, to outright demonise those with contrary viewpoints.

My own wish as a Brexiteer was solely to leave the political institution called the European Union, and it had nothing to do with being antiEuropean. Nor am I anti-Immigration.

To me, there is also something about the EU’s wish to protect its internal market that makes fair trade with the developing world somewhat problematic and I hope that a newly independent post-Brexit Britain can be a true champion for fair trade, with a sustainable immigration system that is fair to all. Surely that does not make me some “right-wing extremist”, does it?