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Murdo Fraser MSP supports 'timely' initiative to tackle cancel culture

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Friday, 15 April, 2022
Murdo Fraser MSP

 

Murdo Fraser MSP believes a newly formed campaign group is a “timely initiative” which will try to combat the rise in ‘cancel culture.’

The Scottish Conservative politician has joined forces with Joanna Cherry, the SNP MP and QC, Jenny Lindsay, the award-winning poet and Lindsay Paterson, a professor of education policy, to form the Free Speech Union Scotland, which will launch later this month.

The group’s inaugural advisory council will also be joined by Iain Macwhirter, the journalist, Peter Kearney, the director of the Catholic Media Office and Jim Sillars, the former SNP deputy leader.

Free Speech Union Scotland aims to oppose ‘cancel culture’ and the censoring of controversial views.

The group has been formed following an alarming rise in ‘cancel culture,’ with the likes of Jenny Lindsay being advised by police not to attend events unaccompanied after she was subjected to an online hate campaign. Mr Fraser believes this kind of intimidatory behaviour needs to be addressed.

Commenting, Mr Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, said: “This is a timely initiative at a point where we are seeing the growth in ‘cancel culture’, directed towards those who hold mainstream opinions on issues such as gender but are silenced by an angry, vocal minority.

“Just in the past few days we have seen a Scottish Government Minister, Lorna Slater, make appalling remarks about those who don’t share her extreme views, suggesting that they should be denied a platform.

“Unlike the Scottish Government, I will always defend the right of people to express opinions and debate issues, even when I might fundamentally oppose their views.

“Free speech is one of the foundations of a civilised, liberal society and it is under attack in Scotland.  I am delighted to join with cross-Party politicians and others from across Scottish society to support the Free Speech Union Scotland.”

 

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Murdo Fraser MSP

Murdo Fraser

Murdo Fraser was born in Inverness and studied law at Aberdeen University before practicing as a solicitor in Edinburgh. In the 1999 Scottish Parliament Election, Murdo stood as the Conservative candidate for North Tayside, and fought the constituency again at the 2001 General Election. He became a Member of the Scottish Parliament in August 2001 following the resignation of the previous List Member for Mid-Scotland and Fife, and was re-elected in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2021. Murdo was Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservatives from November 2005 to November 2011 and has served as spokesman on Education, Health, Economy and Finance. Murdo was delighted to be re-elected in 2021 and is now Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery.

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