The public mood in this traditionally liberal society didn't just warm to the plan, it embraced it with a passion.

In a liberal society there should be a legal right to say things that other people might happen to find offensive.

In a free and liberal society, the rule of law must be absolute.

Of course, in a liberal society we want to do the decent thing.

Hateful actions must be subject to the law but freedom of conscience should characterise a truly liberal society.