SNAP POLL: Should Labour rethink its decision to abandon free speech law? YOUR VERDICT

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson claimed the act was "not first for purpose"

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GB News Reporter

By GB News Reporter


Published: 23/08/2024

- 09:05

Updated: 23/08/2024

- 22:05

Have your say on Labour suspending the legislation that would have protected free speech on university campuses in the comments below

Hundreds of academics have called on the Labour Government to rethink their suspension of a law which would protect free speech in universities.

In an open letter, more than 500 scholars urged Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to implement the remaining provisions of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act (HEFOSA), which had been set to come into effect on August 1 this year.


Phillipson said she was suspending the legislation last month.

She claimed the act was "not fit for purpose" and could “expose students to harm and appalling hate speech on campuses”.

SNAP POLL: Should Labour rethink its decision to abandon free speech law? YOUR VERDICT

SNAP POLL: Should Labour rethink its decision to abandon free speech law? YOUR VERDICT

GB News

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However, critics this week warned hundreds of academics and students have been "hounded, censured, silenced or even sacked" over the past two decades for the expression of legal opinions.

In the exclusive poll for GB News membership readers, an overwhelming majority (97 per cent) of the 1,161 voters think Labour should rethink its decision to abandon free speech laws, while just two per cent think they shouldn't. One per cent said they did not know.

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