Blunkett on Today
Wow – that was scary. I just listened to David Blunkett on the Today programme, talking about this new law against inciting hatred against religion. It’s – let’s see – 3:30 in the morning in the UK, so a new Today will be starting in two and a half hours, and I think the archive is only good for one day – until it’s replaced by the next one. So only a few Yanks, if anyone, will likely listen to this, but I’m going to stick it in here anyway.
Update: Oh, the link does still work. I was wrong about ‘Today’s’ archive. So listen – it’s scary stuff.
Because it really is quite disgusting. He wants unity and community and tolerance, and he doesn’t want us expressing strong opinions about religion if they might get in the way of unity. Of course, we’re allowed to express opinions about religion – as long as they’re sensible. He actually said that. Oh I see – you can say anything you like as long as it’s sensible. Oh that’s all right then.
He was very ridiculous, too – accused John Humphreys (was it? I think) of playing chess, of just trying to win at some silly game, but in fact he did a very good job and asked serious questions, that I for one wanted to hear the answers to. It’s not a game! Being threatened with losing the right to criticise religion freely is not a damn game!
As I said – scary. And thanks to Anthony Cox of the excellent Black Triangle for alerting me to this ridiculous story.
More tomorrow.
I offer the following list as a partial explanation of some of the more bizarre proposals and responses from the Blair government. I invite you to play ‘spot the scientist’.
Prime minister, Tony Blair: Oxford University, law
· Deputy prime minister, John Prescott: Hull University, economics
· Chancellor, Gordon Brown: Edinburgh University, history
· Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine: Glasgow University, law
· Foreign secretary, Jack Straw: University of Leeds, law
· Home secretary, David Blunkett: Sheffield University, politics
· Environment secretary, Margaret Beckett: Manchester College of Science & Technology, metallurgy
· International development secretary, Clare Short: Leeds University, politics
· Transport secretary, Alastair Darling: Aberdeen University, law
· Health secretary, Alan Milburn: Lancaster University, history
· Northern Ireland secretary, Paul Murphy: Oxford University, history
· Defence secretary, Geoff Hoon: Cambridge University, law
· Work and pensions secretary, Andrew Smith: Oxford University, PPE
· Trade secretary, Patricia Hewitt: Cambridge University, English
· Culture secretary, Tessa Jowell: Aberdeen University, arts, psychology and sociology
· Education secretary, Charles Clarke: Cambridge University, maths and economics
At least Charles Clarke can add-up.
The David Blunkett policy maker:
http://www.qwghlm.co.uk/other/blunkett.php