Tories’ extremism redefinition a ‘glaring display of hypocrisy’ – Liz Saville Roberts MP

Conservatives have ‘repeatedly undermined democracy’, says Plaid Cymru

Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP, has criticised the Tories’ “audacious attempt” to redefine extremism as a “glaring display of hypocrisy”.

Ministers and civil servants will be banned from talking to or funding organisations that undermine “the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy”, under a new definition of extremism announced by Michael Gove, the communities secretary today.

Plaid Cymru have criticised the Conservatives for “repeatedly” undermining democracy and provided several examples of the Conservatives’ “hypocrisy”, including the refusal to return £10 million in donations from a racist donor, the unlawful prorogation of Parliament, and the “systematic” undermining of Welsh and Scottish democracy (see notes).

Liz Saville Roberts MP said:

"The Tory government's audacious attempt to redefine extremism by including those who challenge the UK's liberal parliamentary democracy is a glaring display of hypocrisy.

“This comes from the party that has repeatedly undermined democracy. It is the party that unlawfully prorogued Parliament, lied to the Head of State about doing so, systematically undermines Welsh and Scottish democracy, casually misleads Parliament, and has curtailed citizens' right to protest. To make things worse, it is happy to keep £10 million in donations from a racist donor who said that Diane Abbott, a black female MP, should be shot.

“The Conservatives' brazen hypocrisy is plain for all to see. It’s time to bring this tired farce to a close with a General Election."