Free Speech Standing in Oxford

The views of Nick Griffin and David Irving are abhorrent, disgusting and absolutely wrong. For this reason, it is right that the Oxford Union Society has invited them to speak there.

By sending these invitations to the leader of the BNP and one of the most notorious holocaust deniers currently masquerading as an historian, the Oxford Union is providing us with an opportunity to destroy their ridiculous views and defeat them in public debate. This is the reason that we have freedom of speech, it allows us to deride the views of people like Griffin and Irving and hence make sure that on-one else believes them. This is what inviting them to speak at the Oxford Union will do, it will not legitimise their views and it will not give them a platform. It’s difficult to look legitimate when you’re being torn to shreds by students.

Had the invitation been withdrawn, as some of the more stupid and short-sighted groups and individuals in this country have demanded, and among them a member of the Cabinet, the effect would have been disastrous, it would have been the exact opposite of what those who call for Griffin and Irving to be silenced want. It would have made them martyrs, the sole defenders of freedom of speech. Not only this, but it would have meant that a golden opportunity to destroy them would have sailed by. If we continue to forbid people like Griffin and Irving from speaking in public, nobody will hear the counter-arguments. Not only will the BNP be martyrs, they will also be more able to convince people of their lunacy because they will be unable to argue against them. By refusing to engage these abhorrent people in debate, we do not contain them, but allow them to spread their views all the more effectively.

Fortunately, the Oxford Union voted to invite Griffin and Irving. The students of the Oxford University will not be swayed by their bigotry, they are far too intelligent for that. Instead, they will crush their arguments in five minutes flat and we will be a little further on the way to finally getting rid of this cancer in British politics. Because of actions like this, we will be a stronger society. Without actions like this, we would be a more vulnerable one, at the mercy of fear, intolerance and hate.