Britain, as a liberal democracy, clearly has free speech. Yet, there is a distinction between people using free speech to express themselves and inciting hatred and violence to others. The latter is something which governments have every right to clamp down on whereas the former they do not. Radical-right narratives can be challenged first and foremost by dispelling the myths and distortions of facts which drive them, whether it is refuting the allegations that immigration is destroying Britain, dispelling factually incorrect myths associated with immigration, or countering the myths which have arisen in public discourse about the Islamic faith, associating it with extremism and terrorism.
An increasingly important radical-right narrative is the argument that ‘political correctness’ is stifling free speech and elites are out of touch with what ordinary British people think. This notion can be challenged by pointing out that many proponents who rail against political correctness are often from privileged members of society (white, wealthy, male etc.) and are merely seeking to protect their own powerful status. Furthermore, governments have become more vigilant against intolerance and bigotry due to the realities of its damaging impact on communities rather than a desire to stifle the right to free speech. Emphasising the right to free speech but also the right to protection for vulnerable communities is crucial.
Myth 1: ‘Immigration is destroying the country’
