Turning the tide on cancel culture will start with universities respecting free thought

Gavin Williamson Education Secretary 16 February 2021 6:00am GMT Last year, I warned our vice-chancellors and leaders of the very real and alarming threat of censorship and a ‘cancel

culture’ within our universities. I made very clear where I, and the rest of the Government, stood on the matter; that we were on the side of lawful free speech and academic freedom, and

that we would back this commitment in law if we had to. Yet, despite our repeated warnings and good practice from some of institutions, I have been greatly concerned to hear a growing number

of reports of a silencing of voices and a chilling effect of censorship on campus. Under this rising intolerance, students have found themselves wrongfully expelled from their courses,

academics fired and others forced to live under a threat of violence. And I was shocked by the findings of a recent study by King’s College London, that found a quarter of students believed

violence was an acceptable response to some forms of speech. When you add this worrying finding to the high profile cases of guest speakers being no-platformed, it becomes very apparent that

further action must be taken. That is why, today, I am making good on that promise and introducing our new, landmark plans to stamp out this rising threat. Under a host of new measures, we

will seek to strengthen protections for free speech and academic freedom in higher education, increase the rights of redress for those who are wronged, and establish a new Free Speech and

Academic Freedom Champion. Proposed legislation will broaden the legal duties of universities, and mean that from now on, they must actively promote freedom of speech on campus. To ensure

they do so, this new duty will be reflected in a new condition for registration with the Office for Students, who will be able to impose sanctions on universities that breach it. Students’

unions, previously exempt from free speech duties, would for the first time have a direct legal duty to take steps to ensure lawful free speech for their members and others, including guest

speakers. Like universities, they will be fined if they do not uphold this new duty. Meanwhile, individuals, whether academic staff or students, would be able to seek compensation through

the courts if they feel they have suffered due to a breach and our new Champion would also be able to recommend individual redress. Globally speaking, these measures are vital in protecting

our longstanding reputation for providing a world-class, academically diverse higher education. Some of the most fundamental beliefs in our world view have evolved from British universities.

Our students believe, rightfully so, that when they embark on their own journey to higher education, they too will have the freedom to make up their own mind, think independently, and

perhaps even come up with their own new world view.  It is this freedom which makes our higher education truly world-renowned, a place where free thinking academics push back the boundaries

of knowledge, and it is this freedom that this legislation will strive to protect. Though the problems we face are undoubtedly serious, now there is real cause for optimism. We have

witnessed the bravery of students, academics and leaders alike, who have stood up courageously for free speech and academic freedom in the face of vocal opposition. This fills me with hope

that the tide is turning, and that together the Government and our higher education community can continue our longstanding tradition of respecting and protecting the right of speech and

ensure our universities remain the bastions of free thought and intellectual debate, for which they have long been celebrated.   _GAVIN WILLIAMSON IS THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR

EDUCATION_