A NORTH-East council has voted unanimously to condemn the incitement of hatred in public debate.
Members of Durham County Council voted in favour of a motion, which calls on people from all political sides to show respect for each other.
It reads: “Durham County Council reassures all people living in County Durham that they are valued members of our community. It deplores those actions and words which incite hatred and lead to the victimisation of groups within society. It calls upon people on all sides of political arguments to show respect, and avoid the use of intemperate and inflammatory language.”
Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Wilkes, who presented the motion, said: “The old adage is sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. Well, words do hurt and in an open liberal society everyone has a duty to respect others when robustly challenging their views, and as a society we have accepted collectively that some statements are simply unacceptable.”
The motion was passed by 89 votes to none.
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