On Democracy
The right to peaceful protest is enshrined in democracy. It's one way of getting your voice heard and reminding the government that they were elected to govern all, not just those who voted for them. Having been part of many a peaceful protest myself I have often been infuriated when news coverage ignored the thousands of us who were protesting peacefully and focused on a few numpties who were out to cause trouble, break windows, do harm. I always have and always will condemn such acts as irresponsible, counter productive and playing straight into the hands of those who seek to de-legitimise the voices of those who hold a contrary opinion, Having said that what do some of those condemning all the protests in America and in the UK think would have been happening now had Clinton won the electoral college and Trump the popular vote? How quiet do some of the British press think Farage and the Brexit faction would be now had Remain won by the margin that Brexit won? Democracy is not something that happens only in election years, You can accept that a government or a President, or a Referendum has been legitimately settled under the electoral system of the country and retain the right to peacefully state your opinions and seek to moderate the impact of that government or President or Referendum
Many condemning the protests in America were perfectly happy to see Republican House and Senate members blocking the agenda of an elected president .Many newspapers who supported Brexit shouted loudly that Parliament is sovereign only to be outraged when the courts decided that Parliament is indeed sovereign and must have a say on the manner of our exit from the EU.
Let me repeat again. I am against violence of any kind. Those who harm others or do damage should be held accountable in the courts.
But I support and will continue to support the right to protest, to speak out, to hold elected politicians to account and to say "Not in my name" to the policies and actions of politicians and indeed of Presidents elect.