The test of democracy is in its protection of minority rights

The suffragette movement and the enfranchisement of women.

The Civil Rights Act and mobilisation of Black American political consciousness.

The legalisation of anal sex, a critical moment in the path to Gay Marriage.

What do all these things have in common? If put to a popular vote or referendum at the time none of the above would have passed muster. The majority would not have agreed that the minority should have access to equal rights.

And that is the true test of democracy. Democracy is not just majority rule. Democracy is also about recognising unfair treatment in all our communities. Democracy is about recognising that sometimes the majority is not right, and that the majority needs to be helped to keep pace with our ever-changing landscape.

If we do not protect the rights of the minority, what does that mean? Can you still be a democracy? I don’t think so. You can try but when the voice of the weakest is ignored because of the shouting of the loudest the strongest democratic principles break down.

Both the US and UK are at risk of further erosion of our democracies as the populist right actively works against the rights of minorities to consolidate and reinforce their nasty hateful platforms.

Arm the barricades of democracy, chaps!