You can. Like Boris did.

You just have to face the consequences. Consequences that include people thinking you're a moron.

Freedom of Speech =/= Freedom from consequences of that speech.

Kindly put the goalposts back where they were, and explain why he needed to insult the people he was trying to say should be tolerated.

FYI, i tolerate plenty of people whos beliefs i dont share. Doesn't mean i insult them needlessly.

Live and let live. That's tolerance, right there.

I'm not claiming he doesn't argue for tolerance. I'm arguing that he does it in a moronically stupid way. Such is the depth of the mans stupidity, that the call for tolerance has gone unnoticed.

I fully agree. But why are you offended? You don't come across like you regularly wear one. Is it an insult to make a joke about someone's chosen appearance?

Maybe i do. Does it matter? do you need to see my face?

Im offended at the fact that someone as stupid as him can rise to such a level in government.

Because he can. Because the whole point of tolerance is standing up for stuff that you consider absurd or wrong or ridiculous.

Women who cover their faces do look like letterboxes. They are wearing absurd costumes. They should still have a right to wear them while walking down the street in a free country.

None of this is remotely "islamophobic".

In direct conact I do indeed.
So it isn't really about the burka joke. Okay.

Pretty sure i've said a bunch of times i dont think he is racist.

If he thinks women who cover their faces look like letterboxes, then bully for him. He is free to have that opinion share that opinion with whomever he wishes. However, he is not excused from the consequences of sharing an opinion.

Its just that on this occasion, the moron decided to share it with the whole of the UK.

However, when you say they look like criminals, and infer they should be treated with fear and prejudice, and then broadcast that to the entire nation, you shouldn't be surprised that people dont take it well.

Just because you can offend people does not mean you should, and least of all, the very people that your party is accused of tolerating racism towards.

He could have made his point without implying they look like dangerous criminals, and none of this furore would have happened. Yes, there may have been people who disagreed, but the fallout would not have been this toxic.

The moron brought it on himself.

Why is that?

Do little old ladies covering their faces scare you?

I believe it would be far more polarised than that.

Has Corbyn given any indication whatsoever, that he shares your concerns?

The current state of affairs is far too big for any single party to conclude. It always was. Nothing short of a cross party coalition government would be appropriate to guide the UK through the next 5yrs.

I never met him, but several friends and former colleagues have. Without exception, their feedback was very similar to yours.

They do indeed

What about the ones that don't choose to wear it?

I've yet to speak to a Muslim women who has worn it out of choice but have met many who have forced to wear it by family members.

How many burka-clad ladies have you spoken to (full "letter-box" job, to paraphrase Bozza).

I sense you doubt me again. I like to travel. I like interesting food. I'm not you...

A few in Pakistan and quite a few in Iran over a few months (the ones in Iran were more happy to talk). These were non-tourist places if that helps.


Obviously in Iran they didn't have a full face covering, they don't have a lot of choice as the law states there should be a head-covering but they wouldn't have worn such (as they didn't pre-1979) without being forced to.

How many have you talked to that have said they like to wear a face-covering?

I took an Arabic course with some women who covered their faces. They weren't very sociable. Still, grownups can do what they like.

Totally agree.

My problem is with people being forced to do something they don't like ( and I don't believe it's being forced not to wear burkas).

I don't think it's a significant problem in the United Kingdom. I'm with Boris on this one. It's ridiculous but not worth legislating against even if there are a couple of dozen women who would rather not wear it.

I'm with Boris too.

But not because I think a ban is unfair on Muslim women (or nuns).

Strong cartoon banter at the moment.

The parallels with Trump's groundswell of support are staggering. Politicians are after your blind faith and nothing else these days.

Not only that, it's the way they've gone after the Press on the matter too. I'm just waiting for someone to scream "FAKE NEWS!" and the circle will be complete.