Islamism is destroying British democracy, Mike Freer’s decision to step down as the Member of Parliament for Finchley & Golders Green, a north London constituency with a significant Jewish population, is seen by some as a concerning development in the context of British liberal democracy.
Freer cited serious threats to his personal safety as a parliamentarian in his letter to the local party chairman. In 2011, during a meeting with constituents at a mosque, he faced harassment from a group associated with “Muslims Against Crusades.” Freer, openly gay and an unabashed supporter of Israel, had to be relocated to a secured room for protection. This incident highlights the challenges faced by public figures in navigating issues related to personal safety and political beliefs.
It has come to light that Ali Harbi Ali, the Islamist extremist who fatally stabbed longstanding Tory MP Sir David Amess during a constituency surgery in October 2021, had also visited the constituency of Mike Freer with intentions to carry out an attack.
In addition to these alarming events, Freer has opened up about enduring numerous “low-level incidents” that have evidently taken a toll on both him and his husband.
The tragic Islamist killing of Sir David Amess, a fellow member of the Conservative Friends of Israel, should have prompted serious reflection in Britain. Instead of acknowledging the ideological motivations behind this fatal attack, where a well-respected MP was murdered in a church hall, some chose to attribute it to the “toxicity” of social media—an explanation that seems almost comical if it weren’t so profoundly tragic.
It’s crucial to recognize that Islamist terror is not the sole threat to MPs’ safety; Jo Cox was murdered by a far-right racist, and others have faced attacks from the mentally disturbed. However, attacks motivated by Islamist ideology pose the most significant threat.
I don’t share Mr. Freer’s unwavering support for Israel, and my stance doesn’t align with figures like Benjamin Netanyahu, Itamar Ben-Gvir, or Bezalel Smotrich. I found foreign secretary Lord Cameron’s recent remarks at the Conservative Middle East Council encouraging, hinting at Britain’s readiness to formally recognize a Palestinian state. Despite our differences, it’s crucial to acknowledge that Mr. Freer is an elected representative, consistently chosen by the local constituents in Finchley & Golders Green.
Being a responsible British citizen involves embracing a diversity of opinions on both domestic and geopolitical issues, even when they are highly sensitive.
This principle is foundational to the social contract in our advanced liberal democracy, where individuals like myself, as part of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, enjoy significant rights, freedoms, and protections. Rather than exploiting these privileges in an intimidatory manner, they should be cherished and respected.
Freer’s choice to withdraw from British politics due to concerns for his personal safety is yet another illustration of the threat posed by Islamist-inspired forces to the foundations of British parliamentary democracy.
Regardless of one’s political leanings and policy preferences, individuals who uphold the importance of respecting the rule of law as a fundamental aspect of our liberal democracy should be deeply troubled by these developments.
