To be fair, hate-speach laws predate Jihadist behaviour spreading into the Western World. But I must agree that they are often counter-productive. It is not possible to legislate against prejudice and often the attempt provides the best recruiting drive for racists. The BNP are able to point at the 'injustice'of being silenced by anti-racism laws. But the laws also mean that their extreme views are not directly challenged as often as they ought to be.

I do wonder, however, if the casual, assumed, racism that perminated British society in the sixties and seventies would have faded as much as it has without legislation?

I also believe that opposition to the failed experiment of multiculturalism is what is often mistaken for racism. As a wooley liberal I do admire the ideal, but would like to see an example of where it has not led to tensions between communities.