Posts Tagged “Liberal Hero / Villain”
My CentreForum Liberal Hero of the Week #90: Boris Nemtsov
by Stephen Tall on February 28, 2015
Boris Nemtsov Russian statesman and liberal politician Reason: for standing up for the rule of law and against Putin’s regime. “I’m afraid Putin will kill me.” That’s what Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov worried aloud a fortnight ago would happen. (…)
My CentreForum Liberal Hero of the Week #89: Frankie Boyle
by Stephen Tall on February 21, 2015
Frankie Boyle Scottish comedian and writer Reason: for standing up for free speech. Three weeks ago, this series celebrated Benedict Cumberbatch. The reason? For challenging race discrimination in the film and entertainment industry. But, in doing so, he used a (…)
Liberal Hero of the Week #88: The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart
by Stephen Tall on February 13, 2015
Jon Stewart Presenter of US Comedy Central’s satirical The Daily Show Reason: for promoting sane political discourse. Jon Stewart, presenter of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (he really was born to present it), this week announced his retirement after (…)
Liberal Hero of the Week #87: Daniel Hannan
by Stephen Tall on February 7, 2015
Daniel Hannan Conservative MEP for South East England Reason: for his support of localism. Former Labour Lord Chancellor once pithily said of the “West Lothian Question” — Tam Dalyell’s famous formulation that it cannot be right for a Scottish MP (…)
Liberal Hero of the Week #86: Benedict Cumberbatch
by Stephen Tall on January 30, 2015
Benedict Cumberbatch Actor Reason: for standing up to prejudice. Context matters. So do intentions. Which means that when Benedict Cumberbatch this week used the word ‘coloured’ — provoking one of those wearily predictable storms — it needs to be read (…)
Liberal Hero of the Week #85: Ruth Davidson
by Stephen Tall on January 25, 2015
Ruth Davidson Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Reason: for sticking up for human rights Raif Badawi, last week’s Liberal Hero, is too ill from the first 50 lashes he was subjected to by the Saudi authorities to have faced the (…)
Liberal Heroes of the Week #83: Charlie Hebdo, #jesuischarlie
by Stephen Tall on January 9, 2015
Charlie Hebdo French satirical newspaper Reason: sticking up for the right of people everywhere to provoke, to stir, to offend Am I Charlie? On one level, almost certainly not. I wouldn’t have drawn the cartoons they drew: mockery of religion and deliberately offending others isn’t my thing. And if I had received a death threat […]
Liberal Heroes of the Week #82: David Willetts and Douglas Carswell
by Stephen Tall on January 4, 2015
Liberal Hero of the Week (and occasional Villains) is chosen by Stephen Tall, Research Associate at CentreForum. David Willetts Conservative MP, former universities minister Reason: for opposing his party’s plan to cut back the numbers of overseas students So often this column is a toss-up: do I make person X a ‘Liberal Hero’ for opposing […]
Liberal Hero of the Week #81: Sajid Javid
by Stephen Tall on December 21, 2014
Liberal Hero of the Week (and occasional Villains) is chosen by Stephen Tall, Co-Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice, and Research Associate at CentreForum. Sajid Javid Conservative secretary of state for culture Reason: for his unapologetic defence of freedom of expression Freedom of expression is a pretty fundamental tenet of liberalism, one which has been under […]
Liberal Heroes of the Week #80: Alan and Gary Keery (aka the ‘Cereal Killer Cafe’ entrepreneurs)
by Stephen Tall on December 13, 2014
Liberal Hero of the Week (and occasional Villains) is chosen by Stephen Tall, Co-Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice, and Research Associate at CentreForum. Alan and Gary Keery Owners of the Cereal Killer Cafe in Shoreditch Reason: for starting a local business in the face of Channel 4 News’s mockery It was a close call this […]
