These stories seem to follow a pattern. A university group arranges for a speaker to visit with some conservative views. Some activists protest before they are due to speak and the invitation is rescinded. Then a university spokesperson issues a statement affirming the institution’s unwavering commitment to free speech.
This time the intended speaker was Bracknell MP James Sunderland. The former Army Colonel was scheduled to speak at the University of Reading.
The Express has the story.
James Sunderland, the MP for Bracknell, said he feared “for the future of our students” after a planned appearance at the University of Reading was cancelled.
An undergraduate representing Reading University Politics Association told him in an email: “Having previously had such a successful event with MP Tan Dhesi, who’s the Labour MP for Slough, and having many students from across the university thanking us for bringing an MP that quote, ‘looks like them’, we feel it would be inappropriate to bring in somebody whose views [on] immigration conflict with the ethos of the society.”
Mr. Sunderland… a former Army Colonel, said: “I thought about it and thought it was outrageous and shocking. Not only the language being used, but because it was clearly bringing attention to the difference in how I look as the white male with Tan, who is a great friend of mine from neighbouring Slough.”
The MP told GB News: “[The student] came back to me and said that he was the elected President of the student-run body affiliated with the Students Union, not the wide University. And then I said to him, afterwards, how appalled I was with the language.
“I told him how insulted I felt personally, as a former Army Colonel, who’s given 27 years of regular service to my country, served eight operational tours and who commanded the largest and the most diverse unit in the British Army.
“If universities are tolerating this kind of behaviour, and this kind of language, I really fear for the future of our students.”
A spokesperson for Reading University said: “The University has a long and proud history of encouraging debate and discussion. We welcome people of all backgrounds and political viewpoints to our campuses.”
Worth reading in full.
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