Gavin Williamson warns university ‘cancel culture’ threatens UK’s free speech reputation and praises those who ‘defy the intolerant minority’ on campuses
- New law designed to protect free speech on campuses is before MPs today
- The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill aims to end ‘no-platforming’
- The Education Secretary praised those who ‘defy the intolerant minority’
British universities’ reputation as areas for free thought and speech is under threat from cancel culture, Gavin Williamson claimed today.
The Education Secretary praised those who ‘defy the intolerant minority’ as a new law designed to protect free speech on campuses makes its way through Parliament.
The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill aims to end ‘no-platforming’ on campuses by giving a regulator the power to issue fines.
It gives the Office for Students a mandate to promote the importance of ‘freedom of speech within the law’ and ‘academic freedom for academic staff’ at universities.
Writing in the Telegraph today, Mr Williamson said: ‘Our universities have a long and golden reputation for protecting free speech. But while reputations are hard won, they can be far more easily lost.’
The Education Secretary praised those who ‘defy the intolerant minority’ as a new law designed to protect free speech on campuses makes its way through Parliament.
Universities have been dogged in the past few years by campaigns to block appearances from figures seen as controversial by some students and staff.
Writing in the Telegraph today, Mr Williamson said: ”Imagine a world in which (Charles) Darwin had been prevented from putting forward his ideas on evolution because they caused offence – for they were considered deeply offensive by many at the time’
‘Imagine a world in which (Charles) Darwin had been prevented from putting forward his ideas on evolution because they caused offence – for they were considered deeply offensive by many at the time.
‘Imagine a world in which Gladstone, Newton and Hume are ”cancelled”, such that students can no longer learn of their great achievements and inspirational ideas.
‘When students from all over the world flock to our universities, they do so on the expectation that they will be immersed in a broad range of opinions. They do not expect to be prevented from hearing those views or even silenced before making them heard.’
The bill, which will get its second reading today, will aim to end the so-called ‘no platforming’ of speakers and academics on campuses.
The OfS will get the power to fine institutions and student unions for breaching new duties designed to foster ‘a culture of open and robust intellectual debate’.
People who believe their freedom of speech has been impinged will also get the power to go to court to seek financial compensation.
The plan prompted a storm of protest from unions when it was unveiled in May, with the UCU accusing the Government of ’embarking on a pseudo freedom of speech crusade on campuses’.
Former Women’s Hour host Jenni Murray pulled out of an Oxford University talk after student leaders claimed she made ‘transphobic comments’ in a 2017 newspaper article in which she said: ‘Be trans, be proud — but don’t call yourself a ‘real woman”.
Universities have been dogged in the past few years by campaigns to block appearances from figures seen as controversial by some students and staff, including Germaine Greer (left) and Amber Rudd (right)
But campaign group, the Free Speech Union, welcomed the plan.
Universities have been dogged in the past few years by campaigns to block appearances from figures seen as controversial by some students and staff.
One of the main groups leading the charge to cancel is the transgender lobby. It has targeted people including celebrated feminist Germaine Greer, Former Women’s Hour host Jenni Murray and several academics who champion women’s rights.
Mr Williamson wrote: ‘Staff and students should be free to discuss, debate and debunk the views of others without fear of censure and I am deeply saddened that this is increasingly not the case.
‘Time and time again we hear of instances where policies and practices have been adopted which have a chilling effect on free speech and academic freedom, such as systems that allow lecturers or students to be anonymously reported for unwittingly causing offence.
‘We read of situations in which students or staff have been silenced or threatened with a loss of privileges or even dismissal for airing views or opinions that others find distasteful or provocative.’