The price of freedom,

How valuable is our freedom and what is the price we have to pay for it? Do some freedoms cost more than others and how can we practice and enjoy our freedom while respecting others’ liberties?

The news this morning that the Press Complaint Commission (PCC) – the newspaper watchdog – has rejected the complaint against the Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir by Andrew Cowles the civil partner of the late Steven Gately was bittersweet.

Bitter because Ms Moir was thoughtless, and very calculating in her publication; although the article was buried in the back pages of the paper her timing was insensitive to Gately’s family, friends and fans, yet opportune to make her point. Sweet because it showed tolerance and left me with hope that not all our liberties have been totally annihilated and at least the freedom of speech and expression are still intact and managed to survive the erosion’s other liberties weren’t so luck to avert under this administration.

There are many freedoms and liberties that we take for granted like moving house and living where you want – we see everyday the length some will go to come to Britain – support the team you want watch, wear, worship, eat, listen to music…..the list is long and exhaustive. All these freedoms didn’t just come with the land; they were fought for by men and women throughout history, men and women who gave their lives and liberties so we can enjoy ours today.

Make no mistake about my disgust with Ms Moir article, what she wrote only reflects her opinion and thinking, as narrow and limited as it is we should be careful to object it and counter debate it but not allow it to change who we are – a liberal, tolerant and accepting society.