Time for hate speech law to be scrapped

Sir, – There is a strange tendency in political commentary to regard adherence to a viewpoint as laudable. It gets to the deep question of what is the precise role of politicians – is it to influence the public through persuasion, or to ascertain the prevailing perspective, adopt it and in effect follow the electorate?

In truth, in various circumstances, one or other may be the better course of action. However, accusations of flip-flopping, weakness and disingenuousness are to be expected with any such change of heart.

It is thus tempting to ridicule Sinn Féin for their about-turn on proposed hate speech legislation (“SF calls for hate speech law to be scrapped”, News, March 27th). It appears cynical and opportunistic, and it probably is. They cannot even cite the line about changing their minds “when the facts change” – because they haven’t. Nonetheless, whatever else can be said about it, their current view that “it should be scrapped” is surely correct. Incitement to hatred is covered by existing legislation. Trying to sub-classify hatred by motive is only the business of the “thought police”. There are certainly more useful matters for our elected representatives to focus on than this misguided attempt at virtue-signalling.

If the Government cannot think of a more important priority at present, then perhaps it is time to call an election on the basis of having run out of ideas. – Yours, etc,