Police are to demand new powers to arrest protesters for causing offence through the words they chant and the slogans on their placards and even headbands.

Yes, I know I haven’t updated this in ages. I couldn’t be bothered. Anyway, I’m back now.

As for this: No, no, no, no, no, no! This idea is about taking away the right to be offensive. I demand this right. It is the right of all free-born British subjects. If a band of intolerant bigots want to shout ‘no gays here’, ’send the Pakis home’ or even ‘fuck the Queen’ who should take that away from them? Freedom of speech is about the freedom to hear things you disagree with. I’d much rather have that than a government forcing its own stupid opinions down my throat and stifling dissent.

Take this away and you take the teeth out of popular protest - whether you agree with their cause or not. Next they’ll be making all demonstrations and protests illegal.