A GB News guest has branded Labour’s proposed workers’ rights reforms as “madness” over fears they could restrict pub conversations about controversial topics like transgender rights.
Dr Renee Hoenderkamp launched a scathing attack on the employment bill put forward by Angela Rayner, warning it could spell “the end for free speech” in British pubs.
Hoenderkamp said on GB News: “Just madness. Just more of this madness. This employment bill from Angela Rayner really needs to be scrapped.
“If we’re getting to the point where people are not able to talk about anything they want to talk about in a pub, which is where you talk about anything you want to talk about, pubs are over. Free speech is over.
Renee Hoenderkamp blasted the bill
GB News
“This whole bill is a disaster for employers and needs to be scrapped because the Quality Human Rights Commission is saying that the way this bill could be interpreted, if you start giving your view on the transgender issue, for instance, someone can say that’s out of order.
“Your conversation or your words offend me and therefore the public may be required to end the conversation.
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“They could be thrown out of the pub. I mean, it really is 1984 we are living it now, isn’t it?”
Under the proposed legislation, employers would be required to prevent their workers from being harassed by “third parties” such as customers, with the risk of legal action if they fail to do so.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has warned that the rules could “disproportionately curtail” freedoms and might even apply to overheard conversations.
Pub owners could be forced to ban customers from discussing controversial issues to protect their staff from harassment.
Pub landlords could kick you out for discussing controversial topics
PA
The proposals are particularly challenging when involving “philosophical beliefs” such as views on religion or women’s rights, as many business owners don’t understand these topics are protected by law.
The EHRC highlighted that the legal definition of what constitutes a philosophical belief is “complex and not well understood by employers.”
The watchdog warned these difficulties could lead to “disproportionate restriction of the right to freedom of expression.”
Ministers have acknowledged potential issues, particularly in cases involving “areas of legitimate debate which are carried out in a contentious manner.”
Angela Rayner has introduced an Employment bill
PA
The government maintains that the threshold for harassment is high, suggesting that merely discussing controversial topics would not cross the line.
The current definition describes harassment as “unwanted conduct” that violates dignity or creates an “intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.”
Protected characteristics under the legislation include religious beliefs, views on women’s and transgender rights – both gender critical views and belief in gender identity.
Political philosophies and ethical veganism are also covered under the law’s scope.