But as an example of strong leadership during divisive times, the speech deserves high marks.

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Lord Jones, a former CBI chief and trade minister in Gordon Brown's government, said Mr Miliband's speech had been "divisive and a kick in the teeth" for business.

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Given a particularly divisive history, laws designed to curb hate-speech can be justified as an effort to ensure that such a history is not repeated.

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In his victory speech, Erdogan apologized to political rivals he insulted during a bruising and divisive campaign in the run-up to Sunday's vote.

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