The Free Speech Union

23rd January, 2025: that’s the date for our High Court judicial review of the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s shocking decision to halt the implementation of the Freedom of Speech Act – a vital piece of legislation designed to tackle cancel culture and uphold lawful free speech at English universities. These proceedings are of the highest constitutional importance. For almost 350 years, the governance of Britain has rested on the premise that ministers may not set aside laws made by Parliament. The new government, flushed with power and ideological fervour, has now thrown that principle to the wind. We believe the legal position is clear: the right to free speech, as protected by our sovereign Parliament, cannot be treated with such contempt. If possible, please donate to our legal fighting fund here. https://lnkd.in/eKXi3qAq

🚨 The FSU is supporting Connie Shaw, a Leeds University student who has been suspended from hosting a radio show for expressing gender-critical views. This amounts to discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, and we've warned the institution of potential legal action. Full details below. https://lnkd.in/e_VhWYkA

Bridget Phillipson’s FIRST ACT as Education Secretary was to propose revoking the Freedom of Speech Act, a vital piece of legislation which was designed to strengthen the right of students and academics to discuss, debate, and debunk each other’s views. Full details below. https://lnkd.in/eWjyZDJp

Angela Rayner’s department has quietly shelved plans to give residents a veto over whether the name of their road can be changed, effectively giving the green light for “activist” councils to memory-hole street names with links to slavery and the Empire. Full details below. https://lnkd.in/ew54C-3H

An FSU member has successfully navigated the ordeal of a workplace disciplinary process with our support and guidance! The case arose after our member – a supermarket employee in her sixties whom we’ll call ‘Tracey’ – expressed concern about the use of women’s toilets by trans-identifying colleagues. During a brief conversation, one such colleague – who’d worked there as a man and had only recently started presenting as a woman – asked Tracey how she felt about this change of identity. Proceeding on the basis that it was a genuine question, Tracey replied honestly: “I would only have a problem if you went in women’s spaces.” The conversation, in which Tracey also talked about the use of female toilets by other trans-identifying colleagues, prompted a formal complaint. From there, the matter escalated to an investigation meeting and then a disciplinary hearing, where she faced allegations of gross misconduct. But after following our advice, she kept her job and has proclaimed herself highly satisfied with the outcome. Full details here. https://lnkd.in/eTDfd8GS

FSU General Secretary Toby Young has written a piece for Spiked about the various ways the government is planning to undermine free speech in 2025 and appeared on Brendan O’Neill’s podcast to discuss the article. You can read the article here. https://lnkd.in/eeTFbyNq The podcast is here. https://lnkd.in/ePmVxnrp

Ireland's newly enacted hate crime law, even without its controversial and excised 'hate speech' provisions, still threatens free speech. Claims by the Garda that suspects have "demonstrated hatred" risk chilling expression and silencing dissenting voices. Full details below. https://lnkd.in/etZJ9KbZ

Time is running out! Just 4 days remain to claim our '12 Days of Christmas' special offer: discounted annual membership for Anglican Clergy at only £34.99. Don't miss this chance to join the FSU and enjoy a full year of support at a special rate! https://lnkd.in/eDyP5qty

Bridget Phillipson’s FIRST ACT as Education Secretary was to propose revoking the Freedom of Speech Act, a vital piece of legislation which was designed to strengthen the right of students and academics to discuss, debate, and debunk each other’s views. Full details below. https://lnkd.in/eWjyZDJp

Pharmacists across the UK must avoid using terms such as “blackmail” and “blackout” to avoid “harmful narratives” and become more inclusive, according to a senior figure at the Pharmacists’ Defence Association, the largest union in the profession. Full story available below. https://lnkd.in/ewgVki3W