Written Question
Thursday 14th January 2016
Asked by:
Gerald Howarth (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question
to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Government's Counter-Extremism Strategy, published in October 2015, whether a religious group or individual which claims that their religion is the only one true faith is included in its definition of extremism.
Answered by Karen Bradley
The Government definition of extremism is 'vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.' We have been consistent on this since 2011 and have reaffirmed this definition in the Counter-Extremism Strategy.
The overwhelming majority of people in this country support these values and condemn those who try to undermine them.
The Government would not consider the ‘claim’ that an individual’s religion is ‘the only one true faith’ to be extremist.
We are clear that Government should not restrict anyone’s freedom of speech or right to practise a faith. These are core values that help to make our country great. However we shouldn’t allow the extremist voice to go unchallenged, causing harm to our society and promoting hatred and division.
The Government has engaged on the strategy, and will continue to engage with partners - including faith groups, communities and civic society groups on the new proposed powers to tackle the most dangerous extremists. This provides an opportunity to consult on the proposed powers further, and ensure that sufficient safeguards are in place to protect our rights to free speech and debate.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 14 Dec 2015
European Agenda on Migration
"Does the Minister agree with me that it does not sit well with Mrs Merkel that she should be criticising the Hungarians who have done their level best to implement the Schengen arrangements, as they are required to do, by seeking to secure their border, which is the European border? …..."Gerald Howarth - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 16 Nov 2015
Paris Terrorist Attacks
"I, too, welcome the meeting that took place earlier today between the Prime Minister and President Putin as a constructive contribution towards the resolution of the civil war in Syria which, as my hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Crispin Blunt), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said, is …..."Gerald Howarth - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 03 Jun 2015
Devolution and Growth across Britain
"I agree entirely with my hon. Friend about the issue of aid versus defence. Does he share my concern about recent remarks from General Odierno, the head of the US army, and the US Secretary of Defence, Ash Carter, who are very concerned about Britain’s refusal to commit to 2% …..."Gerald Howarth - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 19 Nov 2014
EU Justice and Home Affairs Measures
"Will my right hon. Friend give way?..."Gerald Howarth - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 19 Nov 2014
EU Justice and Home Affairs Measures
"Further to the point made by our hon. Friend the Member for North East Somerset (Jacob Rees-Mogg), I do not think that he and I have quite the same touching faith as my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke) in the European Court of Justice. …..."Gerald Howarth - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 02 Sep 2014
Child Sex Abuse (Rotherham)
"It is clear that the lives of 1,400 very vulnerable young people in Rotherham have been devastated, in large part by a wicked culture of political correctness, assiduously promoted over decades by the Labour party, as public officials denounced as racist people like their colleague—our colleague—Ann Cryer, who sought to …..."Gerald Howarth - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 10 Jul 2014
The UK’s Justice and Home Affairs Opt-outs
"My right hon. Friend said that we have legislated in a way that protects us from the issuance of trivial European arrest warrants, but surely those will be subject to the European Court of Justice. They could, in future, strike out our own legislation, reinforcing concerns among Conservative Members that …..."Gerald Howarth - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 10 Jul 2014
The UK’s Justice and Home Affairs Opt-outs
"I think it is terribly important that we explain to the public what the quad is about, because it is Westminster-speak and I do not think the public understand that no policy is pursued by civil servants unless four individuals—the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Deputy Prime …..."Gerald Howarth - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 10 Jul 2014
The UK’s Justice and Home Affairs Opt-outs
"I am delighted to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich and North Essex (Mr Jenkin) and, indeed, my right hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Sir Tony Baldry)—a brother knight who had the responsibility of looking after my old school at Bloxham. I have always had great affection …..."Gerald Howarth - View Speech
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