David Cameron announces a new age of intolerance


Having won a majority in the UK general election, David Cameron has pledged to end the "tolerance" of the UK government, where "as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone."

Under the new official intolerance rules, Cameron proposes that anyone who espouses an ideology that the government views as a "extreme" will have to apply for permission to post to social media or in print. The rules will be articulated in a new "anti-extremist" bill in the coming Queen's Speech.

The UK security services have admitted to using existing "anti-extremist" powers to put Labour MPs and a Green councillor under persistent surveillance.


They would include a ban on broadcasting and a requirement to submit to the police in advance any proposed publication on the web and social media or in print. The bill will also contain plans for banning orders for extremist organisations which seek to undermine democracy or use hate speech in public places, but it will fall short of banning on the grounds of provoking hatred.

Greatest Threat to Free Speech Comes Not From Terrorism, But From Those Claiming to Fight it [Glenn Greenwald]