By Dane Giraud on Stuff…

OPINION: Cancel culture is real. I’m on the board of the Free Speech Union, and readers, I see it all the time.

It’s been those on the left who have been accused of cancelling views they don’t like. But we’ve just seen an egregious example of cancel culture from those claiming to be on the right of the political divide.

I’m talking about the mauling National Party leader Christopher Luxon got when he chose to include te reo Māori in a tribute to highly-respected kaumatua and Ngāti Whātua activist Joe Hawke.

“What about their free speech”, I hear you ask? “Can’t they voice their disapproval?”

Sure. If any of those posting were to be visited by Police over their comments, I would support them on the principle that offensive comments should never be criminalised.

But this sorry incident offers a good example of how the fight for freedom of speech and other liberal values will only be successful if a true spirit of tolerance rests within the public. Without it, we have no show.

Read the full article on Stuff here.