We live in a world where there are relentless moves by those in authority to control rather than influence the way we think.

By any standards this is dangerous.

It is a good thing when people freely express opinions about any matter of their choice even if these thoughts appear to be eccentric or illogical.

Such is the fuel for healthy academic debate and discussion.

Alternatively, when one is informed that such and such a point of view has no place in a modern Scotland ( or wherever) we are in the realms of mind control comparable to nightmare scenarios envisaged by Orwell and Koestler where we are told how to behave and think.

A brief search of the internet will reveal that a wide range of points of view are out of place.

They include slavery, smacking your children, transphobia, sectarianism, greyhound racing, bigotry, racism, homophobia, blasphemy etc.

Now in some instances these are straightforward enough.

Not many people think that slavery is a splendid concept but all too often whatever viewpoint is dismissed is done so in a manner which avoids any serious analysis or intellectual unpacking.

Racism, homophobia, or bigotry are never properly defined and become essentially a series of vacuous terms of abuse.

What if people have genuine beliefs that certain forms of human behaviour are wrong and not in accordance with traditional Christian teaching?

Are they not entitled to hold such views?

And ultimately what if they refuse to back down?

Prison?

No access to NHS?

Woe betide you if you work in the public sector ( and increasingly the private sector too) and strongly object to the whole equality/diversity nonsense.

All the mainstream parties have signed up to this.

UK Independence Party, for all its faults and failings, is the only home for those who cherish freedom of expression.

The more votes we get the more the enemies of free speech will pause and take stock.

Donald MacKay

UK Independence Party Spokesman for Culture and Wokeness