Conservatives: Response to Labour's free speech at universities announcement

Damian Hinds MP, Shadow Education Secretary, said:

“Free speech is a fundamental right, and this must extend to universities.

“Without the ability to freely express views in higher education, these centres of learning risk becoming centres of co-option and intolerance.

“The fact this Labour government is willing to scrap the measures we put in place to protect these rights makes clear that they are willing to sacrifice the next generation on the altar of their own ideological dogma.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• Bridget Philipson has announced the Labour government are scrapping the Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act, introduced by the last Conservative government (BBC News, 26 July 2024,link)