08-10-2019, 05:48 AM
The mere fact that the fire brigades union has a “position” on brexit is an affront to freedom of thought and of expression. Speaking as a staunch remainer and as someone who will never understand why we voted to leave, I find the fire brigades unions authoritarian and autocratic attitude to Paul Embury completely distasteful, and not in keeping with what trade unionism should and needs to be all about.
Paul has done nothing wrong, he is obviously an intelligent man with an opinion, but apparently having an opinion that does not concur with the beliefs of some within the fire brigades union is not to be tolerated. It conjures up thoughts of elections within the Soviet Union, were there was only one candidate and voting was mandatory. Where freedom of thought was stifled by the paranoia that brought fear within the then rulers of that now defunct regime.
I will never agree with Paul’s thoughts or his opinions on brexit, but I respect him and others for having them, and in this democracy that we all are privileged to live in, we should all value his right to an honest reasoned opinion. Because if we don’t we may find ourselves one day in his position.
Paul has done nothing wrong, he is obviously an intelligent man with an opinion, but apparently having an opinion that does not concur with the beliefs of some within the fire brigades union is not to be tolerated. It conjures up thoughts of elections within the Soviet Union, were there was only one candidate and voting was mandatory. Where freedom of thought was stifled by the paranoia that brought fear within the then rulers of that now defunct regime.
I will never agree with Paul’s thoughts or his opinions on brexit, but I respect him and others for having them, and in this democracy that we all are privileged to live in, we should all value his right to an honest reasoned opinion. Because if we don’t we may find ourselves one day in his position.
We all have opinions, thank god they are not all the same, or there would be no debate.
