British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s new Labour government made a controversial decision regarding freedom of speech legislation in universities without consulting MPs or holding a press conference to explain. The Minister of Education, Bridget Phillipson, announced on the Parliament’s website that the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act, approved by the previous Conservative government, will not come into effect on August 1st as planned, and the government is considering repealing it.
The move was welcomed by student unions, faculties active in “deplatforming” unwelcome speakers, Jewish associations concerned about Holocaust deniers spreading their theories to students, and other groups. On the other hand, outraged teachers who faced marginalization within their universities for their dissenting views, Conservative Party advocates of the legislation, and major British newspapers like The Daily Telegraph, The Times, and The Daily Mail protested the decision.
Reason Behind the Starmer Government’s Block
“For too long, universities have been a political battleground and treated with contempt rather than as a common good,” said Phillipson in defense of her decision. She claimed that the Act was not suitable for protecting free speech on campuses and could burden world-class universities with serious obligations.
Phillipson argued that the legislation could prevent universities from blocking controversial figures such as Holocaust denier David Irving, anti-vaxxer Andrew Wakefield, or far-right activist Tommy Robinson, potentially exposing students to hateful speech. Many groups supported Phillipson’s decision, emphasizing the importance of free speech and academic freedom while expressing concern about the impact the law could have had.
Support from Jewish Students
The Board of Deputies of British Jews supported the decision, sharing concerns raised by the Union of Jewish Students about the law potentially allowing antisemitic extremists on campuses. Universities also relieved by the decision, with concerns about administrative burdens the law might have brought. Nick Hillman from the Higher Education Policy Institute noted the chaos the law’s introduction could have caused.
Censored Educators on Charges of Transphobia
Educators who faced activism from students and colleagues attempting to silence them disagreed with the decision, along with Conservative politicians behind the legislation and editorials from major newspapers. One such victim of persecution, criminology lecturer Jo Phoenix, expressed disappointment in the government ignoring the failures of universities to protect academics from bullying and harassment.
Gavin Williamson, the Conservative Education Secretary who introduced the law in 2021, criticized the decision, emphasizing the importance of defending free speech. The controversy surrounding the legislation and its repeal highlighted the ongoing debate around freedom of speech on university campuses in the UK.
“The Left Wants a World Without Debate”
Claire Coutinho, a Conservative MP involved in the legislation, criticized Starmer’s government, accusing them of being more concerned with reducing administrative burdens than protecting speech rights. This decision reflects a broader issue of free speech on college campuses, where opposing views are silenced rather than debated.
Controversial Choice by the Starmer Government
Leading newspapers like The Times and The Daily Mail criticized the government’s decision, highlighting the importance of protecting free speech and academic inquiry on university campuses. The debate continues as various stakeholders voice their opinions on the implications of repealing the legislation.
