Opinion
18th May 2026
A question of integrity
Usually my comments here are about something which has recently happened in public or something someone has said which affests the question of freedom and diversity. Today, I am instead sharing a matter which affects my own relationship with my principles and how that could influence the perceived integrity of Diverse Diversity itself.
It concerns my involvement with another group whose declared purpose is allied to this campaign but quite separate in organisation. Except, of course, it’s not quite that simple.
I have an aquaintance who is very keen to promote a Christian understanding of and influence on politics in this country for the good of all, coming from traditional Christian insights. That is not a problem as I am also a Christian who seeks a society where all are equal and all Faiths are tolerated in the public sphere even if, in private, I would not agree with their claims. It therefore seems reasonable that I should support and assist him in any way I can. He envisages a group of people from all political parties (other than those which seek to suppress others) to consider issues and influence parties toward a fair-minded and tolerant position. It was therefore natural enough for me to accept his invitation to become his deputy in that project and he invited me specifically because he recognised I am older and can bring to the group the wisdom only experience can deliver. He hoped I would be able to balance and moderate the enthusiasms of some of his contempories who didn’t always understand the full implications of bold and superficially attractive ideas which might have unseen consequences when followed through in detail.
The problem is that he’s still very young and is still seeking his own political niche, so alongside this cross-party project of his own he also wishes to join and become an enthusiastic activist in a party where he can make an impact. He takes the view that will involve compromise, since it is unlikely any party would fully reflect all its members’ views. Unfortunately, he has now joined and become an organiser for a party whose policies are incompatible with Diverse Diversity and could bring this Campaign into disrepute if people thought it associated. I do not want to be connected with his party, but I do want to be connected with his cross-party project.
I am aware that though Diverse Diversity is essentially about tolerance and inclusion while still permitting uncensored research and debate, there are others who interpret inclusion in an exclusive way, denying recognition to any who define it differently, and seeking to smear those who dare to dissent. Such people might well seek any opportunity to discredit me or any argument I seek to present, and association with an obviously intolerant policy would be a good tool for them to use.
I therefore need to be absolutely clear: Diverse Diversity opposes any policy which would suppress the ability of Muslims or Jews to live within the requirements of their Faith so long as it does not impact the ability of others to do the same. Forbidding preparation of meat in accordance with religious requirements would clearly have a devastating and disproportionate impact on such people and could only amount to persecution whatever the intention of such a ban. Diverse Diversity could not accept such an outcome. People must be free to live with integrity within their own understanding so long as they do not impact the freedom of others. No one should be persecuted. That is not what a free society is about.
What I do to resolve this privately will be a matter for myself and those around me, but publicly I must make a stand for what is clearly right. The private result will have to be compatible with that.