The post you are reporting:
Dan praised, rightly, Enoch for his forward thinking economic positioning as being one of those who influenced Keith Joseph and, yes, for his views on Britain as an independent State.
I agree completely with him and I am sure most of the Conservative Party would also agree. We are open about being a Eurosceptic party and in that are very much in line with public thinking and we take pride in the UK economy being rescued by the kind of economic policies Powell advocated back in the early 70's.
Dan did not make any admiring comments in respect of Powell's 'rivers of blood' speech and it would be disgusting, Marek, if you joined certain disreputable muck stirrers in trying, in some way, to associate Dan (and the Conservative Party) with rascism.
Indeed, the fact is Powell was a much more complex character than the left portray and was certainly no rascist. Anyone who looks closely at Powell's career can see that. Yes he would use 'the language of the time' and that would offend the sensibilities of some today, but that is the mistake of those who transfer todays attitudes to the past.
Powell was one of our great parliamentarians and was respect across the party divide. It is a pity that some seek to sully his record based on a single speech that they dont approve of. Tony Benn, one of the idols of the left, attended Powell's funeral and he would not have done that if Powell was some kind of rabid foaming at the mouth rascist, as some like to claim of him.
Any intelligent and serious look at Powell's career will demonstrate exactly what Dan was referring to. Some may not agree with Dan's point but that is a fair and reasonable political difference.
Your final sentence merely exposes the dimwitted and ignorant journalist who must have asked a question about disciplining Dan. Sadly intelligent and thoughtful journalism is a rare beast these days.
