EVEN after all these years, that veteran campaigner still produces the same reaction among many folk. We're referring, of course, to Arthur Scargill, who was due to speak to a meeting organised by the Bolton branch of the Socialist Labour Party (SLP) at Bank Street Unitarian Chapel.

The chairman of the Chapel trustees says it is a long-standing policy not to be seen to be aligning with any political party of any persuasion. And the point he adds about Unitarian policy being tolerant of all religious beliefs, but political ones being a different matter, will perhaps add some weight to the decision not to let Arthur address the audience from chapel territory. However, although the last thing many of our readers would wish us to do is to fly the flag for the man who has made so many headlines, we must question a decision - admittedly well within the rights of the Unitarian Chapel - that seems to go dead against the principles of tolerance and freedom of speech that must form such a major part of any modern society. Indeed, some readers would probably also throw in the point about such factors forming a part of biblical preaching.

With the political parties under starter's orders for the General Election, we can be sure that the various church factions will be adding their weight to the social and economic arguments that will form part of the verbal battle. There's also no doubt that many of those political messages will be delivered from the pulpit.

One thing is for sure: trying to block any appearance by soapbox orators like Arthur Scargill will invariably only further their cause. It might have been better to let Arthur attend the event and then put him on the spot with a barrage of well-aimed questions. Now that really would have been a meeting well worth attending.

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