A couple of weeks ago I was delighted to be asked to speak to pupils at local schools in the constituency.
The first was a question and answer session to the whole Sixth form at Edgbarrow School. In his introduction, the Head of the Sixth Form, Tony Evans, reminded everyone that we would all share different views, some of which we would hold passionately.
However, he went on to say, whatever our own views, it was incumbent upon us all to listen to those of other people, even where we disagree, with respect, consideration and dignity. To their credit they did just that. If only we adults could re-learn that lesson.
Instead of dignity and respect, contradictory views are now frequently met with bile and vitriol.
We live in a society where my colleagues, especially female colleagues, are accosted in the street and have abuse literally spat in their face.
We live in a society where death threats are a regular occurrence…for expressing an opinion. We live in a society where people are becoming afraid to speak up.
What should we expect when a major national newspaper has called judges “Enemies of the People” and during the last election invited people to “Crush the Saboteurs”?
What should we expect when a BBC journalist in the United States, covering a Presidential rally, is physically attacked and the crowd actively chant for the attacker to be allowed to go free?
This has to stop before it’s too late. Because if it doesn’t it only ends up one way…and we found in the 1930s that it does not end well.
So thank you Mr Evans, and thank you Edgbarrow Sixth Form. Not just for the invitation, but for reminding everyone how discussions should be conducted in a liberal democracy.
On a lighter note, the second school visit was to New Scotland Hill Primary in Sandhurst.
Everybody knows that primary school children tell it like it is.
But even here I couldn’t avoid Brexit.
One young pupil asked me why I wanted to give the public a final say on Brexit. (Really – and she was only about eight. They teach them well at New Scotland Hill!).
After my immediate panic of how to explain this to my young interrogator, I asked her to think about going to a toy shop and being shown a super-duper toy that had flashing lights and would do everything she ever wanted. Her mum and dad bought her the toy, but when she got it home, the lights didn’t flash and most of what was promised on the box didn’t work.
“How would you feel about that?” I asked.
She thought for a while… and then, with all the innocence and common-sense that only a child can have, she replied “I’d take it back to the shop.”
“There you have it,” I thought. All these detailed arguments I have been putting forward to allow people a Final Say, when what I should have been saying is “Brexit – Let’s take it back to the shop!”
A couple of weeks ago I was delighted to be asked to speak to pupils at local schools in the constituency.
The first was a question and answer session to the whole 6th form at Edgbarrow School. In his introduction, the Head of the Sixth Form, Tony Evans, reminded everyone that we would all share different views, some of which we would hold passionately.
However, he went on to say, whatever our own views, it was incumbent upon us all to listen to those of other people, even where we disagree, with respect, consideration and dignity. To their credit they did just that. If only we adults could re-learn that lesson.
Instead of dignity and respect, contradictory views are now frequently met with bile and vitriol.
We live in a society where my colleagues, especially female colleagues, are accosted in the street and have abuse literally spat in their face.
We live in a society where death threats are a regular occurrence…for expressing an opinion. We live in a society where people are becoming afraid to speak up.
What should we expect when a major national newspaper has called judges “Enemies of the People” and during the last election invited people to “Crush the Saboteurs”?
What should we expect when a BBC journalist in the United States, covering a Presidential rally, is physically attacked and the crowd actively chant for the attacker to be allowed to go free?
This has to stop before it’s too late. Because if it doesn’t it only ends up one way…and we found in the 1930s that it does not end well.
So thank you Mr Evans, and thank you Edgbarrow Sixth Form. Not just for the invitation, but for reminding everyone how discussions should be conducted in a liberal democracy.
On a lighter note, the second school visit was to New Scotland Hill Primary in Sandhurst.
Everybody knows that primary school children tell it like it is.
But even here I couldn’t avoid Brexit.
One young pupil asked me why I wanted to give the public a final say on Brexit. (Really – and she was only about eight. They teach them well at New Scotland Hill!).
After my immediate panic of how to explain this to my young interrogator, I asked her to think about going to a toy shop and being shown a super-duper toy that had flashing lights and would do everything she ever wanted. Her mum and dad bought her the toy, but when she got it home, the lights didn’t flash and most of what was promised on the box didn’t work.
“How would you feel about that?” I asked.
She thought for a while… and then, with all the innocence and common-sense that only a child can have, she replied “I’d take it back to the shop.”
“There you have it,” I thought. All these detailed arguments I have been putting forward to allow people a Final Say, when what I should have been saying is “Brexit – Let’s take it back to the shop!”
Dr Phillip Lee is the MP for Bracknell
