Freedom of speech

Alistair Mcbay (Letters, 12 August) confused two issues. He is correct that the Lib Dems can adopt whatever principles they like, and expect their leader to uphold them. Tim Farron was naive to pursue his career in this party when it should have been obvious that they would hound him out if his true beliefs came to light.

He would have been equally naïve to pursue a career in the equally politically correct Labour, Conservatives, SNP or Greens. He would probably have come a cropper even in Ukip. Mr Mcbay was wrong to conflate this case with the wider issue of Christians facing discrimination on account of their opinions in wider society, particularly in their careers.

This creeping totalitarianism is pushed by governments (UK and Scottish) and their “equalities” legislation, fuelled by aggressive political activists – many of whom work for government-funded campaigning groups, and implemented by weak and unprincipled managers who are happy to sacrifice a few employee pawns rather than stand up for freedom of speech.

The roll of honour of freedom of speech employment martyrs grows weekly as the brave few who refuse to be cowed and speak their truth regardless of intimidation face the consequences of their deviation from official groupthink.

Open democratic societies progress by civilised discussion. Totalitarian regimes regress by silencing dissenting voices. Which do we want to be?

RICHARD LUCAS Scottish Family Party, Bath Street, Glasgow