Labour sparks more outrage with ‘chilling decision’ to abolish University Free Speech act
The Education Secretary has moved to abolish an act only just introduced, which protects free speech at university.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has been condemned by the Tories and university sector officials after moving to repeal a Tory act designed to protect free speech on campuses.
In a written statement to Parliament this morning, Ms Phillipson declared that she has stopped the rollout of the Act and the entire law is now up for review.
The move by the Tories, introduced in 2023, was hailed as a “huge step forward in protecting freedom of speech and academic freedom on university campuses”.
However the new Education Secretary has said she is now to “consider options, including its repeal”.
She added: “I am aware of concerns that the Act would be burdensome on providers and on the OfS (Office for Students), and I will confirm my long-term plans as soon as possible.”
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The shock announcement has now been condemned as a “chilling decision” by top Tory Claire Coutinho.
The shadow frontbencher blasted: “A chilling decision, taken so casually without any debate…
“The Labour Party fought us every step of the way when we legislated to protect freedom of speech in universities.
“This is a taste of what is to come.”
Professor of Maths at Queen Mary University of London, Abhishek Saha, lambasted Labour’s decision as “a ghastly, shameful, tragic decision”.
Professor of Music at City University London, Ian Pace, agreed, describing it as “Terrible, terrible news”.
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He added it is “a sign that with Phillipson as Education Secretary, there is no future for freedom of speech or academic freedom, and our universities will continue to degrade. We need better”.
Academic Piers Benn said the move is “depressing but unsurprising”, adding: “It was never wise to trust Labour on free speech in universities. Now we see this confirmed”.
Policy researcher and former president of the Cambridge University Union Lara Brown said she has only just left university, “and repeatedly witnessed the sorry state of free speech on campus”.
Ms Brown added her hope that today’s announcement “isn’t a sign of things to come under Phillipson”.
The Bill imposed requirements on universities and their student unions to protect freedom of speech, and gave speakers the right to seek compensation in the event of ‘no-platforming’.
The Office for Students was also given the power to levy fines on institutions that infringed on free speech, and created a new ombudsman to monitor cases of no-platforming and academic dismissal.
Ms Phillipson instead wants the Office for Students to be “more sharply focused” on the financial stability of universities.
She told the BBC earlier this week that culture wars on university campuses “end here”.
