Today, the title on my thumbnail reads Suppression of Free Speech in the UK. This comes from Andrew Bridgen’s tweet on Twitter, where he said:
Freedom of expression is being suppressed in the UK, and the rest of the world sees and acknowledges it even if Starmer and his government can’t or won’t.
Bernie commented that this is “healthily shameful.”
For the first time since records began, the United Kingdom is no longer classified as an open country in the leading global ranking of freedom of expression. In its latest Global Expression Report, the free speech advocacy organisation Article 19 downgraded the UK after its rating for core expressive freedoms fell below the threshold that separates the world’s most liberal societies from the rest.
Freedoms lost are rarely ever regained. I hope that’s wrong. I believe this article is correct because we’re seeing it, but as a Christian, I believe all things are possible. Let’s hope we can get our freedoms back.
The Critic
I found the article on The Critic, titled “UK is no longer an open country for free expression,” and it’s quite an interesting read. Each year, Article 19 assigns every country a score from 0 to 100 based on 25 indicators including media freedom, internet censorship, academic independence, freedom of assembly, and the public’s ability to access information and criticise those in power. The UK score of 79 places it just below the cutoff for “open” status, moving it into the next category down for the first time since the index began.
Between 2000 and 2013, the UK’s rating held steady at 88. Over the past decade, however, the downward trend has become clear. By 2014 it dipped to 87, and from 2019 onwards the decline accelerated, falling from 85 to 79 in the latest report. So it’s gradually dropping down.
In 2019 the Conservatives were in power, and in all fairness, they haven’t been a lot different from the Labour Party. We know the Labour Party are worse, but the Conservatives certainly weren’t very clever either.
JD Vance
I remember seeing an interview with JD Vance and President Trump when they talked about free speech with Keir Starmer. They said, “Oh yes, we have it in our country,” but yet we have people in jail, which is totally untrue.
Another article in The Telegraph from Robert Jenrick says, “Free speech must not be sacrificed to appease Islamists or anyone really.” We should just uphold the country’s laws, we have had good solid laws, but now they’re simply being abused, which is very sad. We want people locked up for genuine crimes, people who aren’t safe – not just for a hurty tweet or a hurty Facebook post. That’s just wrong.
Let’s hope we will see sense in time to come. But anyway, as a Christian, I’m thankful that we don’t put our trust in governments. Our only true freedom comes through freedom in Christ.
True Freedom in Christ
John 8:31-32 says:
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
This is such a wonderful thing. We see all these things going on in the world, but with the Christian faith, we can see beyond and we know what the end is. We have faith in God, and it changes everything.
John 8:36 says:
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Romans 8:1-2 says:
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
In other words, from these politicians.
Galatians 5:1 says:
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
I find politics very interesting and fascinating. However, my freedom comes from freedom in Christ, which is such a wonderful thing.
2 Corinthians 3:17 says:
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
It is so wonderful to go to places where the Spirit of the Lord is, and there is so much liberty and freedom.
Galatians 5:13 says:
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
There is a big difference between taking liberty and acting in love.
Romans 6:22 says:
But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
It is such a wonderful thing that we have been given everlasting life.
Finally, Psalm 119:45 says:
And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts.
Such a wonderful thing.
How to Find True Freedom
Maybe you’re reading this and you’re not a Christian. The good news is that despite all the madness going on in the world, Jesus died for those who believe in Him. All we have to do is simply believe in Him, turn away from our old life, and start a new life. You can literally have a new life in Christ.
I did it many years ago, and it’s the best thing I ever did because it brings eternal life and so much more. True freedom that no government can ever take away.
If you would like to pray, here is a prayer you can say:
Dear Lord Jesus, I acknowledge You as Lord and Saviour of my life. I repent of all my sins and I ask You today to take over complete control of every aspect of my life. Amen.
If you said that prayer and you genuinely meant it, it means you can have that born-again spirit. Where the Spirit of God lives within you, and you have that wonderful gift of eternal life and so much more.
Related Posts
- Should the UK Legalise Assisted Dying?
- Badgers Before Babies: A Biblical Response to UK Abortion Law
- Open Borders Britain
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