Edinburgh Regional Speakeasy

We are kicking off 2023 with a new series of Regional Speakeasies around the UK. Each event will be addressed by a senior member of Free Speech Union staff to discuss Why Free Speech is Worth Fighting For. It’s your chance to find out why the individuals involved in FSU are so passionate about defending free speech and how our work is developing across many different fronts, from case work to campaigns, legislation to original research. It is also an opportunity for us to thank members in person for their continued support, to meet new members, introduce others to the work that we do and encourage them to join us.

Fraser Hudghton, the FSU’s Director of Case Management and Scottish Affairs will offer a brief update on the FSU’s plans for the year ahead before introducing and interviewing our special guest for the evening, Iain Macwhirter. Iain is a writer, political commentator and a member of the FSU’s Scottish Advisory Council.

Speakers:

Fraser Hudghton

Fraser is the FSU’s Director of Case Management and Scottish Affairs. He joined the FSU in 2020 and oversees our vital work in helping those who have been cancelled or are threatened with cancellation get their lives back. Prior to his time at FSU Fraser worked in key roles for the Law Society of Scotland, in Scottish politics and in charity fundraising regulation, for the past decade splitting his time between Edinburgh and London. Fraser is a Forfar Athletic FC and Liverpool FC fan, lives in a house filled with books and spends far too much time doing crosswords.

Iain Macwhirter

Iain is a political commentator for the Spectator and other outlets. He is the author of several books including Disunited Kingdom: How Westminster won a referendum but lost Scotland and former Rector of Edinburgh University. A BBC TV and Radio presenter for 25 years, Iain also worked for many years in the Westminster Lobby. He’s been a columnist for the New Statesman, the Scotsman and the Observer.

There will, of course, be plenty of time for discussion and for socialising with fellow free speech supporters.

Doors open 7pm, speaker and discussion starts at 7.30pm.

Speakeasies are free for FSU members. We ask non-members to pay £2.00. Please book your places as soon as possible and do let us know if you need to cancel so that we can release your ticket to somebody else.