The UK government has unfurled a fresh definition of extremism, casting a net over groups that fuel ideologies steeped in “violence, hatred or intolerance”.
While these groups won’t face criminal charges, they’ll find themselves cut off from government funding and official meetings.
Communities Secretary, Michael Gove, has sounded the alarm, stating that the recent upswing in extremism is a ticking time bomb, posing a “real risk” to the UK’s stability.
However, this new policy has not been met without resistance. Civil liberties advocates, community groups, and MPs have voiced their concerns, arguing that it could tarnish the UK’s democratic reputation. Jonathan Hall, the government’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, has echoed these sentiments, warning that the policy might be perceived as undemocratic.
The government has kept its cards close to its chest, not revealing which groups will bear the extremist label. However, it has hinted that Islamists and neo-Nazis are in the crosshairs. A comprehensive list is set to be published in the coming weeks.
The new definition of extremism is a sharp tool, designed to cut through ideologies that promote violence, hatred or intolerance. It targets those that aim to obliterate the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, undermine the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights, or intentionally foster an environment conducive to such destructive outcomes.
The government asserts that this new definition is a more precise instrument than its predecessor, promising to help clearly delineate how extremism manifests in behaviours.
In tandem with the redefinition, a new intelligence unit, the Counter-Extremism Centre of Excellence, has been established to identify extremist groups.
Groups and individuals labelled as extremist are not without recourse. They have the right to seek reassessment and present new evidence for review. If they still find themselves at odds with the government’s decision, they can mount a challenge through a potentially costly judicial review. This is a testament to the democratic values that the UK upholds, even in the face of extremism.
