New Government definition of extremism

[BaseDrops]

Scottish Government note to Prevent partners on DLUHC’s newly announced definition of extremism

On Thursday 14 March the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) announced a new definition of extremism and engagement principles for UK Government departments, together with accompanying guidance.

The new definition of extremism is set out as below:

• Extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to:

1. Negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; or,
2. undermine, overturn, or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights; or
3. intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve the results in (1) or (2).

The definition also sets out the types of behaviour that are indicative of the kind of promotion or advancement which may be relevant to the definition.
New definition of extremism (2024) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The new definition is not statutory and does not apply to Scottish Government engagement and funding

Scottish Government will continue to consider carefully any evidence of extremist behaviour by organisations we fund and with which we engage.

Meanwhile in The Telegraph
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/19/my-daughter-was-radicalised-by-scottish-lgbt-club-in-school/

I read that Telegraph article and was going to post it...oh, I'd have found somewhere. Anyway thank you for saving me the trouble, have an archive link for anyone who wants to avoid the paywall

https://archive.ph/nO5r7

The new definition of extremism linked in the OP applies to England only.

Haven't read it properly yet but spotted this example

• Subverting the way public or state institutions exercise their powers, in order to further ideological goals, for example through entryism, or by misusing powers or encouraging others to do so.

Does that mean what I think it means?

I think it does. I read the whole thing as a rearguard action to take back captured institutions,

The aims are laudable and action is needed, but as always guidance can be a double-edged sword. What else could it be used to root out? Who decides whether the criteria have been met?

Establishing parallel governance structures which, whether or not they have formal legal underpinning, seek to supersede the lawful powers of existing institutions of state.

I feel like I'm being dense here. Does anyone know what this means?

I think it means stuff like using “Guidance” documents to direct how law is enacted in reality.

I'm guessing that it means Stonewall law and how so many organisations have been told that single sex spaces are illegal now. I hope.

Well that's interesting. Do we think that signs promoting the decapitation of women would be considered extremist and promoting violence? What about India Willoughby suggesting the kidnapping of three women?

I had wondered if this might apply to Stonewall, but I was afraid to hope. Thank you both @The34Bus @Crankywiddershins

Is it to do with Sharia courts, and they way they sometimes operate (e.g. in divorces/ separations)?

That one had also crossed my mind. Seems quite vague.