0:00
I wanted to ask you about PMQs because Sarah Pochin, Reform's latest MP, decided to use her first question, I believe, to ask about the burqa
0:09
She said, given France, Denmark, Belgium have all banned it, why don't we essentially? What do you think about that issue
0:17
Well, fundamentally, I do believe in freedom and I believe that people should have the choice to wear whatever they want
0:24
I wouldn't tell you what to wear. But I do also think it's important to make sure that women are not in any way coerced
0:32
into doing something that they don't want to do. So I think it is very important to make sure that women are not being coerced
0:38
and are able to make their own free choices. But because... So you wouldn't want a ban? Would you want a state ban
0:45
No, because I do believe in liberty and I believe in freedom. And liberty and freedom, which are core British values and tolerance as well
0:52
does include the freedom to choose what you want to wear. But of course that tolerance is a two street and I expect communities to show tolerance It works in both directions doesn it How do you feel when you see a woman on the streets No one should be coerced
1:08
In a full burqa where you can't see someone's face at all
1:12
does that make you ever feel uncomfortable or do you think this is just sort of a normal thing in modern Britain
1:20
Well, look, it comes, Tom, it's not really... It's up to people to make their own choices
1:24
and if you believe in freedom, then that includes people having the freedom to make their own choices
1:28
whether you like those choices or not, right? That's what freedom means. But the point is, there are two points, the two corollaries of that
1:35
Firstly, tolerance works both ways. And secondly, freedom also means not being coerced
1:43
Those are the two very important corollaries. By the way, you mentioned PMQs
1:49
I think Kemi had a very good PMQs today. Starmer was flailing around
1:53
not answering the question and she asked him is he going to put taxes up anymore
1:58
and he started ranting about Russia or something he was really on the ropes there
2:02
and I think Kemi did a great job Alright, Chris Phil, I'm sorry
