Labour to scrap Freedom of Speech Act

[Signalbox]

Free Speech Union is threatening to bring Judicial Review proceedings.
This does feel pretty undemocratic. Is this a sign of things to come?

https://x.com/SpeechUnion/status/1816771547215835345

Statement from Bridgett Phillipson...

Lastly, I have written to colleagues separately about my decision to stop further commencement of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, in order to consider options, including its repeal. I am aware of concerns that the Act would be burdensome on providers and on the OfS, and I will confirm my long term plans as soon as possible. To enable students to thrive in higher education, I welcome the OfS’s plans to introduce strengthened protections for students facing harassment and sexual misconduct, including relating to the use of non-disclosure agreements in such cases by universities and colleges.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-07-26/hcws26

Hannah Barnes in the New Statesman…

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/society/2024/09/in-britain-free-speech-dies-in-darkness?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1727275010

Archive…

https://archive.ph/s0BzR

Thanks for this. Such a good essay on the whole topic.

Seems that FSU have permission for their Judicial Review with the case likely to be heard in January next (unless the Government decides to do things in the right way and repeal the act in Parliament.)

Just seen this it's great news. I think they'll need some digging.

Save the date January 23rd 2025 for the Judicial Review…

https://x.com/SpeechUnion/status/1853854778872225989

Full text of tweet…

“JUDICIAL REVIEW HEARING: JAN 23RD! The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson WILL face legal action over her decision to stop commencement of new free speech laws designed to protect academics from cancel culture, after the FSU was granted permission to appeal the move — watch this video for the backstory. So, the biggest fight we've ever taken on is going ahead, and will require hundreds of hours of research, preparation, drafting and other work — if you think you can, please donate to our crowdfunder and help meet some of the costs of our impending legal battle with the Government. (link removed but you can do this on the CrowdJustice website) Thank you for your help in this fight. Your donation will help us strike a blow for academic freedom and send a message to the government that the power of the executive is not unlimited.”

Well, that's very interesting, thanks. Let's wish them well and do some gardening.

Akua Reindorf speaking about the HEFSA Judicial Review…

https://x.com/JoPhoenix1/status/1854226729520275926

No chance. The GRA mainly causes problems and risks to women. And who cares about women? Certainly not this allegedly Labour government.

It e'ent dead, but nor yet in the rudest health

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/university-free-speech-law-is-set-to-be-watered-down-9dcv0bkcb

Sorry, archive isn't working for me at the moment with The Times. I read it on 12 ft ladder but I can't link it on that.

I have hopefully had success with Ghost Archive. Fingers crossed that this link works. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/6jeiJ

It does work but just a heads up - the page is over 10mb, which is a bit steep if you're on a restricted data plan.

See if this works on Internet Archive:
<a class="break-all" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241208005331/www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/university-free-speech-law-is-set-to-be-watered-down-9dcv0bkcb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20241208005331/www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/university-free-speech-law-is-set-to-be-watered-down-9dcv0bkcb

The Government have caved just days before they were due to defend their decision not to implement HEFSA. Presumably they didn’t want to be humiliated in court. Well done FSU.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyv43p1z15eo

Oh, what a great result.

Telegraph…

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/14/bridget-phillipson-revive-free-speech-laws-after-backlash/

Archive…

https://archive.ph/k2bYk

What a great start to 2025!
Phillipson really is clueless.

Brilliant well done to FSU

But apparently without the tort (which was pretty much the only reason unis were against it) - phew!

“Toby Young, general secretary of the FSU, said: “It comes as no surprise that the Government appears to have performed a U-turn in response to our claim.

“But the Free Speech Union hasn’t received any communication from the Secretary of State and the devil will be in the detail. In the meantime, we will be pressing on with our case.”

“Iain Mansfield, head of education at Policy Exchange, said: “While any watering down of the Act would be a disappointment. Even without the tort, it remains a vital tool to protecting free speech and tackling the chilling culture of censorship on campus.”

Good news.

Please could some kind person explain the tort business for those of us who've had 3 hours sleep and are feeling lazy and hard of thinking?

I think every university should have a module in the first year to introduce students to the concept of debate, how to deal with viewpoints they don’t agree with, that university is a place to encounter and explore, resilience, etc.

its a sweeping generalisation I know, but there seems to be such a focus on “safe spaces” and “trigger warnings” that it has taken over the idea that one should face into uncomfortable ideas, hear different views, and learn. Echo chambers do no-one any favours.

It's only a pity it doesn't apply in Scotland!

its a sweeping generalisation I know, but there seems to be such a focus on “safe spaces” and “trigger warnings” that it has taken over the idea that one should face into uncomfortable ideas, hear different views, and learn. Echo chambers do no-one any favours.

Hard agree with this.

I went to a work seminar last year and was delighted to see a sign saying that this is not a safe space but a 'brave space' where you should expect to encounter different ideas and explore them together, while not being a dick about it (I'm paraphrasing). Great to see this necessary concept being embraced! Hope the tide is turning and we'll see more of that.

So it's good news based on a newspaper article but bad news based on court papers, ie FSU not actually being notified first (or at all). Methinks the government are trying it on. This lot are worse than a greasy car salesman.