1958: Free Speech for Fascists? | Panorama | Voice of the People | BBC Archive
"An essential of democracy is free speech."
Woodrow Wyatt asks whether fascist meetings should be allowed in public buildings. Oxford City Council has agreed to allow a pro-fascist group to hold a meeting in the town hall, but not without opposition. Wyatt speaks to Mr Ferguson, a Conservative councillor, who was one of a group of councillors who unsuccessfully attempted to stop the fascists from using the town hall. The Leader of the City Council - former Mayor of Oxford, Lady Townsend - believes the fascist organisation should be allowed to use the town hall, but only if certain conditions are met.
In Birmingham, the town hall has recently been used by Sir Oswald Mosley - Wyatt asks the Lord Mayor of Birmingham if he believes he was right to allow the former leader of the British Union of Fascists to use the town hall. Other contributors in Birmingham include Councillor Thomas, Councillor Wright, Alderman Meadows and Mr Darnell - the President of the Trades Council.
Finally, Wyatt interviews the people of Birmingham. Do they agree that Mosley should have been allowed to speak in the town hall?
Clip taken from Panorama, originally broadcast on BBC Television, 27 October, 1958.
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