Police have arrested a total of six men on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after a bonfire society torched an effigy of a caravan with a gypsy family painted on the side.
There are no indications that police are investigating any of the incidents involving the burning of effigies of Catholics that took place in Lewes on November 5.
Why the difference?
Also this November: Adrian Hilton, writing in the Spectator, argues that the retention of anti-Catholic legislation in the UK is vital to national security.
The wording of the Bill of Rights explains, ‘And whereas it hath been found by experience that it is inconsistent with the safety and welfare of this Protestant Kingdom to be governed by a Popish Prince or by any king or queen marrying a Papist....’ Ignoring what many consider to be unacceptable terms, such as ‘Popish’ and ‘Papist’, the key word is clearly ‘experience’. Parliament went to great lengths to make the Act foundational because the nation had learnt that when a Roman Catholic monarch is upon the throne, religious and civil liberty is lost. In reading the Act, it is interesting to note how often its purpose in settling the succession of the Crown is intrinsically linked to defending the ‘rights and liberties’ of the people. It states in no uncertain terms that it is ‘absolutely necessary for the safety, peace and quiet of this realm’.Do many people agree with him? I don’t know. But I’ve wondered about the extent of anti-Catholic sentiment in the UK before.
Harry’s Place has a post and readers' comments on the Spectator article and, getting back to bonfires, Harry's also posted his thoughts on the Burning Bush campaign.
