CONSERVATIVE
New Forest East

QUEEN'S SPEECH DEBATE (1st DAY) – EXTREMISM AND INDOCTRINATION - 18 May 2016

QUEEN'S SPEECH DEBATE (1st DAY) – EXTREMISM AND INDOCTRINATION - 18 May 2016

Dr Julian Lewis: Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

Angus Robertson: I made a commitment that I would not emulate the leader of the Labour party by speaking for 41 minutes, and I am running the risk of doing so.

Mr Speaker: Order. The right hon. Gentleman will be as expert in maths as he is in many other matters, but he has 13 minutes to spare.

Angus Robertson: Thank you for your correction, Mr Speaker. In that case, I am delighted to give way to the right hon. Gentleman.

Dr Julian Lewis: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman, who is, as always, very courteous in these matters.

The right hon. Gentleman began by talking about some of the areas where he might agree with the Prime Minister. Before he concludes, will he answer this question? Does he agree with the Prime Minister on the question of extremism and indoctrination in our country? The Scottish National party has a very good record in opposing Daesh and everything it stands for. Does he agree that what the Prime Minister said was encapsulated by the late, great philosopher, Sir Karl Popper, in the paradox of tolerance? He said that we must tolerate all but the intolerant, because if we tolerate the intolerant, the conditions for toleration disappear and the tolerant go with them. Can the right hon. Gentleman reach across the party divide to support the Government on that, because it is important for all of us?

Angus Robertson: There are things in politics about which there should be no disagreement between mainstream political parties. Very much in the spirit of what the right hon. Gentleman says, I would hope the proposals the Government bring forward can garner the maximum support. ...