The question was put to Starmer by Tahir Ali, Labour MP for Birmingham Hall Green and Mosley, who represents Britain’s second-most Muslim constituency. Although Ali made mention of all Abrahamic religions, his question was framed in the context of the UK marking Islamophobia Awareness Month.
The Times columnist and regular writer for the Wall Street Journal Matt Ridley, re-tweeted Davis’ tweet with the comment, “A truly black moment for Britain to hear a prime minister effectively endorse the idea that we should reintroduce blasphemy laws.”
Both GB News and Ridley are misappropriating the Blasphemy laws which were in place to protect the Christian faith as the foundation of Britain’s laws and customs. The laws were not intended to protect all religions.
Blasphemy laws were repealed in England and Wales in 2008, and in Scotland in 2021. However, they remain in force in Northern Ireland.
Blasphemy laws in the UK date back to medieval times, with the common law offence of blasphemy was formally abolished in England and Wales in 2008. Scotland abolished its common law offence of blasphemy in 2021.
The Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 repealed the common law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel. The last reported attempt to prosecute someone for blasphemy in England and Wales was in 2008 when a case against BBC Director-General Mark Thompson was rejected by the High Court.
Blasphemy laws remain in force in Northern Ireland, inherited from Irish common law. While there have been no prosecutions under these laws, incitement to religious hatred is an offence in Northern Ireland, although it is rarely prosecuted.
The last reported prosecution for blasphemy in Scotland was in 1843. Due to Scottish law requiring a personal interest in a matter for private prosecution, and the state’s reluctance to initiate a prosecution, it is unlikely that blasphemy laws will be enforced in Scotland.
From 1838, the law of blasphemy only protected the tenets and beliefs of the Church of England. Other Christian denominations were also protected where their beliefs overlapped with those of the Church of England. Blasphemy laws protecting the Christian faith are an extremely important expression of principle – that Jesus’ name is above every other name. The blasphemy law was one part of the UK constitutional framework which recognised the unique contribution and status of Christianity in Britain.
Many secularists have long campaigned for the abolition of blasphemy laws, citing their infringement on freedom of speech and expression. The UK government has also pushed back against international efforts to reinstate blasphemy laws, emphasising the importance of protecting freedom of thought, conscience and belief.
While other religions should be tolerated, Christianity, and only Christianity, needs to be recognised as the official religion of the UK. Acknowledgement that Britain is a Christian country shouldn’t require a law, it should be by consensus and a knowledge of Britain’s customs, laws and constitution.
Socialist Starmer’s eagerness to impose yet more laws to control what people say and think should not surprise anyone. But what should be surprising and deeply concerning is that Starmer refuses to acknowledge that Britain is a Christian country.
That Muslims are demanding Blasphemy laws be implemented to stop so-called “Islamophobia” in a Christian country should also be cause for concern. “Islamaphobia Awareness Month” and outlawing criticism of the Koran is just the beginning. The religion of Islam does not have an equal footing in the UK as one of the Abrahamic religions. Muslims who live in the UK need to first and foremost recognise and respect that the UK is made up of four countries whose laws, customs and values are grounded in Christianity. If Muslims are unable to respect this basic tenet and Christian values are not being followed by the vast majority, then perhaps the Blasphemy laws do need to be reinstated to protect and preserve the Bible, Christians, Christianity, Christian values and the UK constitution....<<<Read More>>>....