Long, long ago, there was a time when Mark Valladares and I were close colleagues, as National Chair and Secretary of what went through half a dozen name changes to become Liberal Youth. Those of you that know us both will not have been surprised at our roles, he demonstrating a fledgling interest in administration and bureaucracy and me for megalomania 
Over the years we have continued our journeys through life and liberalism, our paths crossing randomly and occasionally. During that time, I have retained a high regard and respect for Mark’s abilities and his work at what I consider to be the boring but necessary area of the party.
I was therefore disappointed by Mark’s posting today. In it he argues the case for removing a regular off-message poster from the aggregator of LibDem blogs, so that his views are not given so much publicity. Now as I stated in my earlier posting, I have never been a fan of ‘No Platform’. I find it to be counter-productive: hiding something just makes people more curious to find out. It is about as helpful in stopping racism or homophobia as preventing the voice of Gerry Adams being heard was to stopping the terrorists in Northern Ireland. In other words, it is just a token.
Yes, take action where a person, or group of people are threatened. But if people are stupid bigots, they should be easy to prove wrong. I’ve done so by speaking out where possible, including twice at party conference and by going on London’s Gay Pride march with out young daughter in 2000. As a Christian, I have spoken out in church circles against homophobia.
I don’t like the postings of Mr Ahmed. I find them incoherent, badly written and self-publicising. I rarely read him now - when I do it’s usually by accident. I have previously found him to be unreasonably prejudiced. But if he does hold views which are contrary to the Liberal Democrats, let the party take action, not a self-appointed bunch of bloggers.
8 responses so far ↓
1 James Shaddock // Oct 6, 2008 at 19:28
Here here Sara.
Although I’m not as strongly disappointed with Mark as you seem to be, I totally agree with the approach you have suggested and others have on Mark’s blog.
2 Sara // Oct 6, 2008 at 19:57
My disappointment is probably because Mark is generally a good egg.
I’m probably unusual in my generation for not supporting ‘No Platform’, but I just can’t see where it gets anyone. We have to defeat these views, not sweep them under the carpet.
3 James Graham // Oct 6, 2008 at 20:17
It should be pointed out that LibDig offers a far more democratic solution by encouraging people to positively promote good stuff rather than seeking to censor the bad.
I have to admit I have on occasion considered it might be nice to have the authors more clearly identified on the LibDemBlogs feed, but on more than one occasion it has lead me to read a useful posting by someone I would otherwise avoid.
4 James Shaddock // Oct 6, 2008 at 20:49
Let’s not get me started on ‘No Platform’. Though always thought it was quite a recent policy among SUs
5 Toby Philpott // Oct 6, 2008 at 22:35
Er, “No Platform” policy dates back to the 1980s James.
I don’t know if you count more than 20 years as “recent”?
6 Sara // Oct 6, 2008 at 23:07
Showing your age there, Toby
7 Top of the Blogs: The Golden Dozen #86 | Liberal Democrat Voice // Oct 12, 2008 at 20:50
[...] I’m sorry Mark, but you’re just plain wrong on Sara Bedford’s Always win when you’re singing [...]
8 The excitement mounts … // Oct 12, 2008 at 22:00
[...] I’m sorry Mark, but you’re just plain wrong [...]
Leave a Comment