THE issue of who to include and who to exclude from participating in parliamentary democracy is always a vexing one, as affirmed by the numerous letters here over the last month.
There are many views and opinions and groups and parties which are considered to be beyond the pale.
But if we start censoring those parties and groups whose opinions and views we abhor and exclude them from effective participation in the democratic process, then we run the risk of muzzling dissent and gagging free speech.
I am entirely in agreement with Daniel Cottingham and C Ormerod (Letters, July 23) that the British National Party should be allowed to participate in parliamentary democracy. After all, if there were no BNP, who would the cerebrally challenged vote for?
COUN PAR'VAIZ AWAN (Conservative, Corporation Park Ward, Blackburn with Darwen Council), Granville Road, Blackburn.
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