Let’s assume, for the purposes of this blog, that a coherent case has now been made for the existence of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill as a solution to a problem.
Let’s also do our best to ignore the other issues facing society or even higher education, lest we are accused of whataboutery over the problem we’ve temporarily decided to accept and requires legislation to fix.
Some 536 days after its first reading in the House of Commons, the Bill is now due to be treated to line-by-line scrutiny in its committee stage in the House of Lords – the first real prospect of anything other than partisan pot shots being taken by two sides that thus far have seemed much more interested in the right of freedom to speak than the responsibility to listen and actually respond to that speech. As well as the Halloween kick-off, we’re due sessions on 2 November, 14 November and at least one other is to be scheduled.
