UK Government Unveils New Definition Of Extremism To Counter Radical Ideology

The UK government has issued a new definition of extremism under which certain groups will be blocked from government funding and meeting officials. The new definition of extremism is more precise and aims to counter radical ideology. 

 

Extremism in the UK is now defined as the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others or undermine, overturn or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights. The previous definition, introduced in 2011 under the government’s counter-terrorism strategy programme



known as Prevent, defined extremism as vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

 

Earlier this month Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that Islamist and far-right extremists were seeking to undermine Britain’s democracy. Communities Secretary Michael Gove said a surge in extremism, since the Hamas terror attacks in Israel and subsequent war in Gaza in October last year, poses a real risk to the United Kingdom. Currently, no groups have been defined as extremists.