‘We are seeing upheaval with increasingly authoritarian positions taken up by many governments’

• WE must remain eternally vigilant in preserving our cherished democratic institutions against encroachments.

The current tragedy in Ukraine underlines the importance and requirements for a civilised ethos, liberal democracy, administration of justice, freedom of speech and a system of rightful protest against injustice.

This must include open debate. And, in addition, commerce must be freed from control and corrupt practice.

We are seeing upheaval with increasingly authoritarian positions taken up by many governments.

The ruthless suppression of democracy and civil liberty in contemporary Russia, recalls old imperial policies and those of the Soviet Union’s expansionism and militarism.

And here we see an anti-libertarian stance against protest and the exercise of open discussion, the Commons a rubber-stamp chamber under an omnipotent executive.

And, as some have observed, we should acknowledge imperial war crimes and look to our actions, for example, in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I believe it is for the younger and hopefully more resourceful in our community to activate discussion. If they do not they jeopardise freedoms, so bitterly fought for and contested.

CW KYLE
Hornsey Road, N7