London Socialist Historians Group
Press release
12th May
Contact: Dr Keith Flett 07803 167266
Historians say new Universities ‘Freedom of Speech’ Bill should protect academic jobs not obsess on ‘cancel culture’
The London Socialist Historians Group, which convenes the socialist history seminar at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, has criticised Government plans for a new Higher Education Freedom of Speech Bill.
The historians say that the measures proposed are not necessary and are very wide of the mark in addressing freedom of speech issues in Universities.
The University and College Union (UCU) which represents academics and other higher education professionals is right to say that a key issue is that many, faced with precarious working arrangements, limited employment contracts and potential redundancies, is a concern that saying anything that annoys their employer may find them displaced and ultimately dismissed.
LSHG Convenor Dr Keith Flett said, the Government’s obsession with what is sees as ‘cancel culture’ is continuing. Most often this seems to be focused on academics who say things unpopular in certain areas of the media, in defence of Palestinians, or questioning Government policies on a range of issues. By contrast Gavin Williamson’s apparent concern that right-wing views of various kinds are muffled in the academy is not something that accords with realty
BBC report
Leave a Reply