Political commentator Piers Pottinger has hit out on GB News about Labour’s decision to pull the plug on legislation aimed at tackling cancel culture at universities.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said she has got rid of the law put in place to protect academics from being no-platformed for their views.
Pottinger said on GB News there has been a lack of a democratic process in repealing the law.
“In November, an act of Parliament was passed, the Freedom of Speech act aimed at universities to protect freedom of speech”, he said.
Piers Pottinger hit out at Labour’s plan to scrap the bill
PA / GB NEWS
“It has had royal consent and it’s on the statute book, but it does need implementation regulation which she says she is not going to do.
“She said all this outside Parliament. She has taken it on herself to effectively repeal an act of Parliament without the consent of Parliament. It was not in the King’s Speech.
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Nigel Nelson and Piers Pottinger debated the subject on GB News
GB NEWS
“Incredibly, the Labour Party have decided to repeal a Freedom of Speech bill. It is absolutely unforgivable.
“Instead of actually improving education in this country, she seems to be damaging it.”
GB News Senior Political Commentator Nigel Nelson defended the Government, arguing they are simply taking a step back before properly implementing the bill.
“She doesn’t think the act itself is fit for purpose”, he said.
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson
PA
“She wants to look at it again and see how it can be improved.”
Pottinger hit back at Nelson’s argument, saying Labour’s decision not to put the legislation into law is akin to a dictatorship.
Phillipson vowed to “stop further commencement” of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.
The decision came just days ahead of new powers coming into force for the free speech tsar.
Phillipson said: “I have written to colleagues separately about my decision to stop further commencement of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, in order to consider options, including its repeal.
“I am aware of concerns that the Act would be burdensome on providers and on the OfS [Office for Students], and I will confirm my long-term plans as soon as possible.”