The Free Speech Union is a non-partisan, mass membership, public interest body that stands up for the speech rights of its members and campaigns for free speech more widely. Click to watch our Founder and General Secretary, Lord Young of Acton, discuss what the FSU has achieved and the people we have helped.
The Government has gone back on its promise to Labour rebels on jury trials, in what constitutes a serious breach of trust.
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The Government's independent reviewer of counter-terrorism law has warned that the new anti-Muslim hostility definition will lead to confusion and self-censorship — with no clear guidance on what it means.
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The Free Speech Union has launched a legal challenge against the Government's "anti-Muslim hostility" definition, warning it threatens free speech and risks creating a back-door Muslim blasphemy law.
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Leading lawyer Flora Page KC has quit her role on the Legal Services Board in protest at David Lammy's "tyrannical" jury reforms, warning the plans would "rip the heart out" of the rule of law.
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Independent councillor and FSU member Dulcie Tudor has been cleared by an external investigation into complaints about her gender-critical Facebook posts.
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A 1992 report that Keir Starmer helped write concluded that the removal of jury trials contributed to wrongful convictions in Northern Ireland — yet his government is now planning to restrict the ancient right to trial by jury.
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The Police Federation of England and Wales has dropped its legal challenge against a High Court ruling which found PC Rick Prior and PS Richard Cooke were unlawfully treated.
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We marked three years of the Ian Mactaggart Programme with a reception at the House of Commons — celebrating the students championing free speech on campus.
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A lone Met Police officer went viral for defending a Christian street preacher's right to speak — but across Britain, heavy-handed policing of preachers is becoming the norm.
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The Trump administration has launched freedom.gov, a VPN-style portal letting UK and EU citizens bypass online censorship laws — a stark signal of US alarm over European free speech restrictions.
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The FSU has drafted a Welsh adaptation of HEFSA and is calling on parties contesting the 2026 Senedd election to adopt it as a manifesto commitment.
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An FSU briefing examines the Islamist links of the government's Islamophobia Working Group and the serious threat its proposed definition poses to free expression.
Read moreIf you want to speak up about an issue that matters to you, you should be free to do so without fear of being penalised. We have helped over 5,000 people who’ve found themselves in trouble merely for expressing a controversial opinion or for exercising their right to lawful free speech, whether at college or university, in the workplace or on social media.
If you’re looking for information and guidance, or in need of immediate help, our team of experts are here to provide assistance, resources and support.
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Free speech is a fundamental human right and the most important one of all because without it we wouldn’t be able to defend the others. It’s the lifeblood of democracy and a bulwark against tyranny.
Academic freedom is the lifeblood of universities. By engaging in open discussion, students and academics are able to develop different ideas and advance the frontiers of knowledge.
Freedom of expression extends to nonverbal and creative forms of communication — art, music, film, performance and symbols — that convey ideas beyond spoken or written words.
Freedom of the press is essential for the proper functioning of democracy. Without journalists holding the powerful to account citizens cannot make informed decisions at the ballot box.
Free speech is the bedrock on which all our other freedoms rest, yet it is currently in greater peril than at any time since the Second World War. The Free Speech Union is a non-partisan, not-for-profit membership organisation that stands up for people whose right to freedom of expression has been violated. Not only do we pressure institutions to uphold their own free speech policies through direct challenges and media scrutiny, but we also litigate when we believe they’ve acted unlawfully. This work is particularly urgent in the present climate, with people being cancelled every day for daring to challenge the latest ideological dogma, either in the workplace or public square.
As a member of the Free Speech Union, you gain access to an invaluable support network that will come to your aid if you ever find yourself in trouble for something you’ve said. The FSU ensures that every voice, no matter how controversial or challenging, has the right to be heard without fear. In an era where speaking one’s mind can lead to unforeseen consequences, it’s reassuring to know that with the FSU, you’re never navigating those challenges alone.
A strong community dedicated to protecting free expression
Please consider supporting the Free Speech Union. Your donation helps fund our legal work, campaigning and member support so we can continue defending free expression across Britain. Any contribution—large or small—makes a real difference.
Donate NowIf you'd like to join the Free Speech Union, we'd welcome your support. Click below to explore our membership levels, learn about the benefits available to members, and choose the option most suitable for you.
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