UK Unveils New Definition of Extremism

Facts

• The UK government introduced its new definition of extremism Thursday, changing it to 'the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance' if used for particular goals.¹
• Such goals include attempts to 'negate or destroy' the rights and freedoms of others, 'undermine, overturn or replace' the UK's parliamentary democracy and democratic rights, or 'intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve' the first two provisions.²
• While 80 groups are already deemed extremist by the UK, the government said it will release a new list after conducting a 'robust' assessment in the coming weeks. Those on the list won't face criminal penalties but will be barred from government funding or engagement.³
• Communities Secretary Michael Gove released a short list of groups already identified, including the British National Socialist Movement, Patriotic Alternative, CAGE, Muslim Engagement and Development, and the Muslim Association of Britain.⁴
• The government said the definition is 'narrower and more precise' than the previous one, which, since 2011, labeled extremism as 'vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance.'¹
• Although Gove said the new definition is 'not intended to prevent people demonstrating per se,' critics say it could potentially impact free speech and misidentify certain people or groups.⁵

Sources: ¹BBC News, ²Japan Today, ³Reuters.com, ⁴Independent and ⁵Sky News.

Narratives

• Right narrative, as provided by Spectator (UK). Finally, the government has acknowledged that accepting intolerance leads to an intolerant society. This measure will stop the government from engaging with or providing money to groups that fuel the flames of violence — whether they're neo-Nazis, Islamists, or any intolerant group. Anyone who's not a member of these groups needn't worry about the government infringing on their rights.
• Left narrative, as provided by Muslim Council of Britain. Even before this definition was codified into government policy, the ruling Conservative Party had identified leading Muslim rights activists as extreme and divisive. Now the broad brush this definition creates could empower the government to go after peaceful protesters and bar them from accessing the government.

Predictions