Labour has U-turned over university free speech as it brings back a Tory law clamping down on ‘woke’ cancel culture – but removes its “teeth” by dropping the ability of academics to sue their institutions. The Mail has more.
Labour told woke students they cannot “shut down” debate on university campuses today as ministers U-turned and revived a Tory law protecting freedom of speech.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson confirmed she would bring in most sections of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 after a major revolt by academics.
The law’s introduction was paused after Labour’s election win in July, with sources branding it a “Tory hate charter” and suggesting it could be repealed entirely.
It acted against “cancel culture” on campuses after a wave of protests targeting people with controversial views on issues including gender ideology.
Campuses across the U.K. were the site of protests over the past few years.
But Ms. Phillipson told MPs today the pause would be ended, saying that “fundamental freedoms” had to be protected.
“These fundamental freedoms are much more important than the wishes of some students not to be offended,” she said.
“University is a place for ideas to be exposed and debated, to be tried and tested .. it is not a place for students to shut down any idea with which they disagree.” …
However, Ministers will remove part of the legislation that would allow academics to seek damages from their university for impingement of their freedom of speech. …
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott today said: “Given Labour used to call this a ‘hate speech charter”, I’m glad they’ve now U-turned.
“However, for this Bill to have teeth it must have the statutory tort included. We will always fight to protect free speech on campus.”
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