Saturday, September 18, 2004
The thugs make a bid to run the asylum
The fact that Alun Michael has had to cancel an engagement because of the threat of violence from elements in the Countryside Alliance is appalling. It seems that this grouping is determined to make the countryside a no-go area for Ministers even though support for a hunting ban is as strong there as it is in the Cities.
There is a world of difference between peaceful protest and the sort of threatening behaviour now being demonstrated. This bunch of thugs want to undemine our Parliamentary democracy. I am still waiting for those MPs who issued press releases warning of such behaviour, and by implication encouraging it, to put out statements condemning this latest development and calling for calm. I will not hold my breath.
There is a world of difference between peaceful protest and the sort of threatening behaviour now being demonstrated. This bunch of thugs want to undemine our Parliamentary democracy. I am still waiting for those MPs who issued press releases warning of such behaviour, and by implication encouraging it, to put out statements condemning this latest development and calling for calm. I will not hold my breath.
