Well, we certainly do disagree on that issue, because I believe that the recording procedure for individuals to even step over the mark to report hate crime is very brave in the first place—and that they are recorded appropriately in the UK.

We’ve all seen the history of hate crime repeat itself time after time: the rise of Hitler and the Nazis; we’ve had Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists; the National Front; and the BNP, as the Member raises. And I dare say that accusations have been around UKIP as well in the campaign that you have recently been involved in: ‘take back our country’, ‘the breaking point’, ‘take back our borders’, and ‘refugees’. I think it’s quite abhorrent, the fact that you raise this debate in the Chamber today, because I think we should all collectively dismiss the fact that any type of hate crime is, indeed, acceptable.

I recently attended the faith communities forum, and Professor Williams from Cardiff University made a fascinating presentation to the Wales race forum last month on the research into patterns of hate crime and hate crime perpetrators. He found a very small proportion of perpetrators are extremists pursuing their own premeditated agenda of hatred and prejudice, but what he did find, Llywydd, was many ordinary people acting out of more instinctive feelings of anger or distrust.

So, what is happening and what has happened, especially since 2015, to take ordinary people over that tipping point? Well, I’ve alleged the issues around the rhetoric of politics, which has been clear. Since 2015 we’ve seen UK-wide growth in the use of divisive media. I referenced some of that just earlier on. Immigrants are being blamed for the squeeze on public services and household incomes resulting from the relentless funding cuts pursued by the UK Government. Llywydd, this rhetoric has taken the genuine concern about terrorism, and laid the blame on all Muslims without recognising the peaceful beliefs central to Islam. Migrants have been blamed for the lack of job security and decent paid jobs for lower skilled workers resulting in zero-hours contracts and attempting to reduce workers’ rights and benefits—again, featured heavily in your campaign, on your posters, on your vehicles as you were driving around, on your leaflets—spreading, I believe, hate into our country. It’s against this backdrop, Llywydd, that some people have let their frustration and anger about the situation in which they are finding themselves spill over into abuse and harassment of people with different backgrounds from themselves. They feel that they’ve been given a licence to act.

So, what do we do? In the days after hate crime or terror attacks, we see an up-swelling of support and solidarity for people affected. When we see the worst side of humanity, it’s heartening that we also see the best side of humanity stepping forward to show it’s stronger and louder. I put it to you, Llywydd, that amplifying and growing these positive messages is one of the best ways to prevent hate crime. I would hope that this Chamber could collectively come together and support a braver, stronger community right across the world. Diolch yn fawr. Thank you.