Conservative backbenchers have warned the Government’s decision to pause freedom of speech legislation is “chilling.”
Following their landslide general election victory, the Labour Government decided to stop the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, arguing it would have been “potentially damaging to student welfare.”
In the Commons, shadow education secretary Damian Hinds said the Act had cross-party support and criticised the Government for taking the decision to pause it without parliamentary debate.
This comes as former Home Secretary and Fareham and Waterlooville MP Suella Braverman posted to social media that she was due to speak at the University of Cambridge but said the event was cancelled “because of militant pro-Palestinian protesters.”
Catherine McKinnell and Damian Hinds clashed over the legislation
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Hinds, the MP for East Hampshire, told the Commons: “This evening, a member of this House was due to speak at an event at Cambridge University. It will not go ahead as planned because of safety concerns.
“Now, it is absolutely not for us to question operational decision-making, but it absolutely is for us to question this Government about legislation and the effects, direct, indirect and chilling, of the decisions that they have made since coming to office.”
Conservative former minister Richard Holden said the situation Braverman is in “would not have occurred” if the Tories’ legislation was implemented.
The MP for Basildon and Billericay added: “This delay is actually having an impact on freedom of speech in universities right across the country. I understand (Ms McKinnell)’s concerns, but surely actually speed is of the essence here if we’re to ensure freedom of speech in our universities.”
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Richard Holden MP
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Education minister and MP for for Newcastle upon Tyne North Catherine McKinnell described the Act as “disproportionate and burdensome”, adding that the Government is committed to protecting freedom of speech in “the best way possible.”
Responding to the news about Braverman, she said: “There were many concerns expressed that the legislation that was passed would have the unintended consequence, would create a disproportionate burden and that is why we have paused it, to step back from it, to reflect on whether the measures introduced by that Act are needed.
“We absolutely know that it is necessary to uphold freedom of speech. The provisions within the legislation on freedom of expression still exist in legislation and are there to be upheld.
“And we need to make sure we have the space to have a constructive dialogue on these issues, rather than a battleground for ideological clashes, and we are considering the next steps, and we will report in due course.”
Hinckley and Bosworth MP Luke Evans
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Tory MP Luke Evans, who represents Hinckley and Bosworth, said: “If it’s so important, as she has mentioned, why won’t she set out the concrete timetable when this new legislation could be brought forward?”
Ms McKinnell replied: “We want to take the time to get this right. We are absolutely committed to free speech, I think I’ve said that a number of times today, and we want to take the time to make sure we protect it in the best way possible.”
Conservative MP Bob Blackman, who is the chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Israel, said that academics’ and students’ rights need protecting when the Government reintroduces the Bill.
Blackman, who is also the chairman of the Backbench Business Committee, said: “The sad reality is that Jewish students, Jewish academics feel threatened right now by antisemites, let’s call them out for what they are, antisemites.
“They must be free to exercise freedom of speech. So will she in this consideration, make sure those rights are going to be absolutely upheld with whatever the Government comes forward with.”
The Liberal Democrats’ universities spokesman Ian Sollom said: “We should take legitimate concern seriously and should not ignore those that exist within Jewish communities, including universities. What work is the minister undertaking to ensure that Jewish staff and students feel safe and welcome in our communities?”
Education minister Catherine McKinnell said: “The rise in antisemitic abuse on higher education campuses is deeply concerning and something that this Government takes extremely seriously.
“We regularly meet with Universities UK to discuss what support they are offering to Jewish students on campus and how they are tackling antisemitic abuse.
“We also meet regularly with the Union of Jewish Students, University Jewish Chaplaincy and the Community Security Trust and we will continue to do so to make sure that we get this right.”
