Debate in the UK in recent days on how to confront extremist threats to what Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called “our values and ... our democratic traditions” broadly represents a difficulty common to all societies who value their liberty: how much freedom can feasibly be curtailed in the hope of preserving freedom itself?

My instinctive feeling is, not a lot. But as freedom can never be absolute, nor can its defence. On the other hand, to borrow from the idiom of my previous life as a journalist, is it even a story? ..

Subscribe now to unlock this article.

Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).

There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.

Cancel anytime.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.