Two voices of decency

Thursday, 25th October 2007

At least two of our MPs get it. Paul Goodman and Michael Gove have put down this early-day motion in the House of Commons:

This House, recognising that freedom of speech within the law and freedom from violence and intimidation are indispensable preconditions of a free society, deeply regrets the decision of the Dutch Parliament and Government to withdraw protection abroad from Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the author, film-maker and former politician, and urges both bodies to reverse this decision forthwith.

As I have said here before, it is not just revolting that Hirsi Ali has been effectively thrown to the Islamist wolves by a west that she has tried to warn about the danger that it faces, but the abandonment of this brave woman sends a catastrophic signal of the west’s weakness to the enemy at its gates. It is shocking that more MPs have not rallied to her cause. Goodman and Gove’s gesture is as conspicuous for its isolation as for its decency.

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field

October 25th, 2007 11:26pm

An excellent motion. Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a fine and ethical woman who deserves to be heard not silenced. The Dutch should indeed be ashamed of their actions. We at least have protected Salman Rushdie - another casuality in the war for a free culture, but himself a less consistent advocate of freedom than Hirsi Ali.

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Melanie Phillips is a Daily Mail columnist. She also writes for the Jewish Chronicle and is a panellist on BBC Radio Four's Moral Maze. Her most recent book is 'Londonistan', published by Encounter and Gibson Square.

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