On Monday 12 October we hosted the Free Speech Debate. Britain has been a bastion for freedom of expression for centuries – but can the country still claim that title today?
There are now countless examples of free speech being suppressed: from arrests for social media posts and the ‘shadow banning’ of online accounts, to sackings for expressing opinions at work and the shutting down of public protests. Many argue that there are legitimate boundaries to free speech that must be enforced to prevent ‘harm’ – but where should the line be drawn?
Our speakers debated the motion: This house believes Britain no longer has free speech. Kelvin MacKenzie, former editor of the Sun, and Kellie-Jay Keen, the women’s rights campaigner, proposed the motion, with Jonathan Sumption, the former Supreme Court Justice, and Ed Vaizey, politician and commentator, opposing.
You can watch the live recording of this event here.
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