Following news of the killing of conservative activist, Charlie Kirk, Richard Fuller MP issued the following statement:
I had heard of Charlie Kirk but I didn’t know much about him.
I knew he supported President Trump but I didn’t know of his views in detail.
I am sure I would have agreed with many of his views but, equally, also disagreed with him on some issues.
But what I did know was that he thought debate and discussion of political issues was crucial. That being present - so you could see those with whom you disagree, and listen to their point of view and offer a response - that these were essential to democracy.
And that its foundation had to be the cherishing of freedom of speech.
We are giving too much space to the unchallenged, thoughtless opinion, to those who sharpen our divides rather than heal our division. Who see hate and dislike as algorithmic currency to drag all of us further away from positions where we can agree.
Four years ago, just before the assassination of my own colleague, Sir David Amess, I committed to hold town hall meetings and drop in surgeries - open to all - across my constituency.
Rather than retreat behind a keyboard to blast off our own opinions I wanted provide as many opportunities to meet, to discuss, to listen and learn from an exchange of views.
And ultimately for you to be better able to hold me, your democratic representative, to account.
Something very simple. Something that should never lead to such violence.
Defend free speech. Defend the right to disagree. Defend civility. Defend democracy.
A list of my upcoming town halls and surgeries is on my website at https://www.richardfuller.co.uk/news
I look forward to meeting you.
