Professor Matthew Goodwin’s latest book Values, Voices and Virtue: The New British Politics has stirred up lively discussion about whether a ‘new elite ’, with values alien to the majority, has become a dominant cultural and political force in Britain. Stepping into the middle of the culture wars and offering an analysis that is critical […]
The FSU Annual Convention The Convention affords senior staff and the directors of the FSU the opportunity to thank members for their support and to report back on highlights from the past year – e.g., legal victories, case-work successes and the impact our behind-the-scenes legislative and policy work is having. It’s also a great opportunity […]
Campus mobs, preferred pronouns, artworks consigned to the dustbin of history, controversial views dismissed as ‘misinformation’, children’s books censored, de facto blasphemy laws, employees sacked for having the ‘wrong’ opinions, celebrities cancelled for theirs... the battle to defend free speech is never ending. This is your opportunity to hear from the man leading the […]
Wednesday 5th July, in-person in Central London or Online Of all the issues thrown up by the rise of gender ideology and the push for trans-inclusivity, safety and fairness in women’s sport is probably the one that has most grabbed mainstream public attention. And yet, too often, debate has been shut down and those […]
THE HOME OF FREE-THINKING COMEDY 7th July - Doors at 6:30pm, acts on stage 7:30pm Having consistently sold out shows in London for the past 5 years, Comedy Unleashed brings its refreshing brand of stand-up comedy to The HiFi Club in Leeds. If a comedian gets cancelled, we put them on. We think that […]
FREEDOM OF THOUGHT, FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND RELIGIOUS BELIEF Free Speech Union member Ben Dybowski was sacked from a school for sharing his Christian beliefs at a staff-only diversity and inclusion training seminar run by Diverse Cymru, an organisation that trains teachers on ‘unconscious bias’ and ‘trans, gender identity and gender expression awareness’. Having […]
CAN THE ARTS SURVIVE AND THRIVE IN SCOTLAND? In a censorious climate, how can we protect the freedom to imagine for actors, artists, comedians, musicians, poets, writers and audiences? Last summer, comedian Jerry Sadowitz was forced to cancel his show at the Edinburgh Fringe when staff at The Pleasance refused to work at his […]
SPEAKERS: FSU Manchester Speakeasy with local historian Michael Herbert of Red Flag Walks, Dr Cheryl Hudson of University of Liverpool and Jonathan Schofield, writer, Manchester tour guide and editor of Manchester Confidential. DATE: Thursday 20th July 2023 VENUE: Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount St, Manchester M2 5NS TIME: 7PM – 8.30PM (followed by social at […]
In his provocative new book, Cancelled: The Left Way Back from Woke, political scientist Professor Umut Özkirimli describes how the Left has been sucked into a spiral of toxic hatred and outrage-mongering, retreating from the democratic ideals of freedom, tolerance and pluralism that it purports to represent. However, he also warns that the radical identity […]
Understanding Tyranny and Liberty: Lessons from Alexis de Tocqueville and J.S. Mill With Guest Lecturer Professor Jeremy Jennings Prior to the nineteenth century many writers were aware that autocratic states reduced individuals to silence and obedience through fear and the threat of punishment. When visiting the United States in the early 1830s, Alexis de Tocqueville […]
Come along for a special late-night event in a great venue, to hear FSU General Secretary Toby Young in conversation with broadcaster and political leader, Nigel Farage. They will discuss the latest threats to freedom of speech, including their direct experiences of financial censorship. There will, of course, be an audience Q and A. As […]
UNCANCELLED DEBATE What is indoctrination within education and how might it be avoided? Debate featuring academic and campaigner Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthbert and an expert panel of educators. On Saturday 23rd September, Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthbert was due to speak on a panel at the Rethinking Education conference in London, debating how we should distinguish […]
Can Words Really Hurt? A philosophical, legal and common sense conversation. Almost two and a half years after achieving royal assent, Scotland’s controversial Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act is due to be implemented in 2024. It was reported recently that Police Scotland are setting up a special unit to deal with the new hate […]
GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT: FREE SPEECH AND THE RIGHT TO PROTEST IN THE CURRENT MOMENT IN-PERSON BY INVITATION-ONLY ONLINE for FSU MEMBERS (REGISTER USING ZOOM LINK IN MEMBER NEWSLETTERS) Since the massacre committed by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7th, public spaces around the United Kingdom have seen an upsurge in pro-Palestinian political protests. […]
South West Regional Speakeasy 'DECOLONISATION': Freeing our minds or dangerous groupthink? Wednesday 29th November The Hall, Stepcote Hill, Exeter, EX1 1BD. Doors open 6.30pm, discussion 7pm until 8.30pm, bar open until 9.45pm. Tickets are £5 for FSU members, £8 for non-members, £3 for students. JOIN the FSU to get discounts at all events. Members receive […]
HOW TO STAND UP FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND FREEDOM OF THOUGHT DATE: Saturday 3rd February, 2024 TIME: Doors and bar open 6.30pm. Live music from Sean Corby and Jonathan Enright at 7pm, panel with Q & A starts 7.30pm, social from 9pm. Ends 10pm. (Bar is card-only). VENUE: The Anthony Burgess Foundation, Engine House, […]
The FSU Christmas Comedy Special BOOK TICKETS HERE. Wednesday 20th December, please arrive by 7pm. Backyard Comedy Club, Bethnal Green, London Round up your comedy-loving friends and family for The FSU Christmas Special, a one night only extravaganza of comedy with a fabulous line-up. In association with Comedy Unleashed - the home of free-thinking comedy. […]
THE STATE OF FREE SPEECH IN NORTHERN IRELAND A Free Speech Union Speakeasy, in association with the Battle of Ideas Festival. DATE: Friday 26th January, 2024 TIME: Doors and bar open 6.30pm. Panel with Q & A, 7pm until 8.30pm, followed by social. Ends 10pm. VENUE: Drawing Office One and Pavilion Bar, Titanic Hotel, 8 […]
HOW TO STAND UP FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND FREEDOM OF THOUGHT DATE: Saturday 3rd February, 2024 TIME: Doors and bar open 6.30pm. Live music from Sean Corby and Jonathan Enright at 7pm, panel with Q & A starts 7.30pm, social from 9pm. Ends 10pm. (Bar is card-only). VENUE: The Anthony Burgess Foundation, Engine House, […]
Net Zero or Not Zero: Can we debate climate change? Thursday 22nd February, 2024 Panel debate and Q and A from 7pm until 8.45pm, social until 10pm. The Clayton Hotel, Garden Suite, 27-29 Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2FB. (A two-minute walk from Cambridge Station). GET TICKETS: FSU Member £5. Non-FSU Member £10. Student £3. Popular […]
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