Boris Johnson on Section 28

The Conservative candidate for London mayor attempts to explain why he initially supported the notorious Section 28 - outlawing the "promotion" of homosexuality in schools - on the grounds that he dislikes the State intruding on liberty and, well, doesn't make a great job of it (at the Stonewall mayoral hustings). Brian Paddick, Lindsay German, and Ken Livingstone also make contributions.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• KenLivingstone
• BorisJohnson
• BrianPaddick
• Stonewall

[jameskharper]

But you're missing the point here - the reason why section 28 was wrong was because it didn't aim to do just that. If you go and read what was written in section 28 it was blatantly an attempt by the Conservative government to prohibit schools from discussing the entire topic of homosexuality with pupils which was wrong. Its aim was to suppress a particular minority group by limiting freedom of speech and it enabled homophobic bullying to not be dealt with, with LGBT pupils having no1 to turn to

[MamaMario13]

@chuckmonkey7337 you cant promote it because it is not a choice



[MamaMario13]

why cant we just all stop being religious? its so simple yet people cant just do it

[radomu1]

Come on boris...

[boblab5]

He is a lier and a bigot and a typical conservative politician. Lying is a way of life for them.

[LikeTinkiWinki]

you're not very smart are you?

[chuckmonkey7337]

i think section 28 was alright you can be homosexual if you want and no govt. should have the right to defy you BUT schools should not be allowed to PROMOTE it in schools i definately would have put section 28 back in

[ics4jjs]

What makes me feel uncomfortable about this is not so much Boris' confused argument and his failure to admit that his comments were at best insensitive. It's the the panel, the questioner and the audience here deliberately goading the soon-to-be-elected Mayor. I cannot agree with much of what Boris stands for, but nor can I accept a crowd sniggering at his private life, interrupting his answers, questioning his voting record without any evident knowledge and "ooooo"-ing when they irk him.

[steveallen808909]

at least boris doesnt suck up to islamic terrorists i dont need to go on kens a slimeball cant see how you could vote for this evil man

[Psychocktail]

Wow, all power to Tony G. You skewered the sweaty homophobe good and proper, Tony. And now for the Pope! :-)