Last Friday, Labour Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced that she would end the Freedom of Speech Act 2023, dealing a direct blow to the freedom of speech of British students and professors under the new Labour government.

The Higher Education Free Speech Act was passed in 2023 and is intended to further guarantee students’ rights to free speech and academic freedom. Under the law, institutions that cancel or refuse to host events because they do not align with the institution’s ideology can be subject to sanctions.

Academic freedom under pressure

It is not surprising that calls for such a law come mostly from conservative circles. Many right-wing students, researchers and professors feel that their right to freedom of expression is being restricted. Open debate and dialogue on many topics, and in particular on gender, migration, abortion or social equality, are made impossible or cancelled. On the contrary, students or professors who disagree are subject to social and academic exclusion and opposition.

Under the new law, universities and other institutions could be required to uphold the principle of academic freedom. This would ultimately provide a welcome boost to conservative academics. But the Tory government’s Freedom of Speech Act now appears to be in vain.

However, several organizations have already said they will take further action against Phillipson’s decision. Academics for Academic Freedom and the Free Speech Union, which are committed to the right to free expression, have announced that they will continue to fight for the protection and restoration of academic freedom.