Weapon against thugs

sir – I read the article by Allister Heath (Comment, August 30) as a cry of despair over our seeming inability to maintain the free speech, free inquiry and free debate that are our inheritance from the Enlightenment.

As it is impossible to have a rational discussion with what he describes as the “new totalitarian thugs”, or to restrict their right to free speech, there is another way – ignore them.

We have a classic example of the success of that tactic. It was recently demanded of Boris Johnson, often through use of defamatory language, that he apologise for his comments on the burka. He ignored his critics, didn’t apologise and continues as usual, leaving them where? Nowhere.

I have been in politics for 58 years, and learnt a long time ago that the best defence against vitriolic abuse is to be sure that your opinions are well founded, that they are anchored in principles and are honestly expressed.

When that test is met, I don’t give a damn what others may think of me. That was my attitude before, and it is so now in the world of social media, where I have been targeted with ridiculous accusations and abuse. Some tell me I am arrogant to take up such a position. Better arrogant than bullied into submission to unreason.

The one thing these fools, whom Allister Heath calls thugs, will find difficulty in dealing with, is being ignored. More of us as individuals should try it; and so should those in charge of institutions like universities. Jim Sillars

Edinburgh