Journalist objects to free speech

Nigel Farage faced a barrage of abuse for bringing up the subject of Europe in this week's Any Questions? on Radio 4, particularly from fellow-panelist and journalist Viv Groskop. Hello? Earth to Groskop? The whole raison d'etre of Farage's party UKIP is to campaign against the EU. That's why he's in politics and that's why he gets invited onto shows like Any Questions? If he didn't mention Europe there would be something wrong. Now, Calton sometimes wonders if he's mistaken, but the UK is still supposedly a democratic nation where free speech is not only allowed but applauded (or used to be anyway). If the mainstream political parties were not all in the thrall of Europe there would be no need for Farage and his party. As it is, Calton does not agree with all that Farage says but he defends absolutely Farage's right to say it, in any forum where he has the opportunity. It was good to hear Jonathan Dimbleby also making this point at the end of the program. It's just a pity he didn't make it sooner.