Right to democracy must be defended

IN a true democracy, the right to speak one’s mind is a fundamental and inalienable liberty for us all.

This extends to the right to protest and object when we see injustice and infringement of our hard-won liberties.

To suppress this right will only drive protest underground, with damaging consequences!

This basic right is currently being challenged by Home Secretary Priti Patel, who seeks to rush through a Bill before parliament that would produce a thoroughly draconian crackdown on the right to peaceful protest (source: The London Economic).

We also have the inalienable right to exercise our vote and stand for election. To speak out where we see corruption and wrong-doing.

We have traditionally enjoyed a right, fair and equitable voting system. Many British voters are furious after being denied the right to vote for first time in history over a trial controversial voter ID scheme, which has been shown to lead to voter suppression.

We have the right to peaceful assembly, providing that we do not infringe the rights and the health of our fellow citizens – the recent women’s vigil on Clapham Common was broken up by the Metropolitan Police.

We should have the right to a free and open media, that is not interfered with or dictated to by the Government.

The topical Mash Report has been axed by the BBC after criticism of ‘left-wing’ bias.

We have a Government who are deliberately attempting to interfere with our basic rights.

Are we not seeing the further Trumpification of British society?

‘Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty!’

Justin Beament Down St Mary, Crediton