SOME news stories vividly illustrate the sort of challenges that face us in Britain today. Ann Widdecombe’s brutal death is one because it prompted peers to address the question of our willingness – or should I say our unwillingness? - to respect one another’s differences.

This pressing issue seems to have been the focus of much attention in the tributes that were paid in the House of Lords recently. One peer voiced his concerns about ‘a very toxic environment, fuelled often ... by hatred’. I’m glad he did because we desperately need to learn to respect our differences and appreciate our diversity so that we can create a climate in which differences of opinion can be voiced without fear - and valued, not simply tolerated.

Ann Widdecombe’s seems to have embodied this way of life. One conservative peer was quoted as saying: “There was no hatred in Ann Widdecombe. Strong principles? Yes, you sure knew where you stood. Convictions expressed with clarity? Certainly. A zeal to serve her community? Absolutely. Readiness to debate fiercely and then make up with a drink and a laugh afterwards? Very much so.”

As I read this tribute, I found myself thinking: “What an epitaph. What a legacy. If only we would all behave like that we’d be living in a much happier country.”

Ann Widdecombe was well known, Sarah Morse much less so, but her story has been making waves too. I’ve read that at least 17,000 people have signed a petition in support of this Catholic teacher who says she was dismissed for giving students honest answers to their questions about abortion.

As I understand it Morse, whose case is being supported by the pro-life organisation SPUC, was teaching a group of 14- to 15-year-old students at a Scottish High School when she was asked her opinion on several controversial subjects including Donald Trump!

When questioned about abortion, she responded by saying that she was a faithful Roman Catholic and against it. A little later, she claims, she was dismissed for talking about religion and abortion.

This case has raised some very interesting issues, and I look forward to seeing what the Employment Tribunal decides when it meets in August. SPUC, for example, has said that government guidelines do not prohibit teachers sharing their personal views, provided there is no attempt to persuade the students.

Whatever the outcome though, it is worth remembering that we can all be tempted to ‘silence’ those with whom we disagree. It’s one of the many human traits we do well to resist.

It seems to me that these two very different stories encourage us to respect each other, listen to each other and where necessary ‘disagree agreeably’ with each other. We’d be a much healthier society if we did. You can disagree with me of course but if you do, please do it nicely!