Higher Education
(Freedom of Speech) Bill (Carry-over)
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That—
if, at the conclusion of this Session of Parliament, proceedings
on the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill have not been
completed, they shall be resumed in the next Session; paragraphs
(9) to (14) of Standing Order 80A shall have effect in relation
to the Bill as if it had been ordered to be carried over to the
next Session of Parliament in pursuance of a carry-over motion
under paragraph (1) of that Standing Order, except that paragraph
(13) shall have effect as if the period on the expiry of which
proceedings on the Bill shall lapse is two years from the date of
its first reading in this House.—(.)
8.27pm
(Warwick and Leamington)
(Lab)
What a palaver! This is less a carry-over motion and more of a
carry on, if I may say so—“Carry On Regardless” being probably
the most apt title. Let us call it a year: it is 358 days since
the Bill was introduced to the House. Announced in the last
Queen’s Speech, the Second Reading was debated nine months ago
and the Public Bill Committee concluded its work over seven
months ago. Since then, nothing—so is there a problem? The lack
of urgency suggests it is really not that important after all.
Certainly, the Secretary of State has not mentioned it once in
the Chamber since his appointment five months ago, and the
legislation would certainly have no effect on cancel culture,
according to lawyers, media commentators and the sector
itself.
The Government now want another year to resolve their own
problem—a problem of their making—which is more time that could
be better used to address the immediate and pressing issues faced
by the great British public, such as the cost of living crisis,
the prospect of 40% of UK households being in energy poverty by
the autumn and an economy performing worse than any other G7
country when compared with pre-pandemic levels. We will not vote
against this motion, but the public will not forgive this
out-of-touch Government, who fail to address their
priorities.
8.28pm
The Minister for Higher and Further Education ()
Let me be crystal clear: the Government remain committed to
delivering on our manifesto pledge by strengthening freedom of
speech in higher education. We have not changed, and never will
change, our position, because we recognise that free speech is
the absolute cornerstone of democracy and a liberal society. Our
universities should be centres of inquiry and intellectual
debate, and places of new and independent thinking from which
will grow the knowledge, learning and science that we need to
tackle future global challenges. The reintroduction of the Higher
Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill reaffirms our manifesto
commitment, yet the Opposition’s position can be described only
as perplexing. First they said that if such legislation were
needed they would support it, but then they changed their
position to say that the issue does not exist and they will not
support the Bill. Now their position has become even more
confusing.
Once again, the Opposition find themselves entirely out of step
with the British people on a matter of fundamental importance.
Their unwillingness to acknowledge that this is an issue has
shown their contempt for the views of ordinary people, and their
unwillingness to support a democratic legislative solution
without an alternative plan —something that was very clear
throughout Committee —shows that, as always, their cynical party
politicking comes ahead of common sense. Even now they try to
deflect by a ruse to suggest that our commitment to this issue
has waned. This Bill will ensure that lawful free speech is
supported to its full extent.
Question put and agreed to.
