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Michelle Donelan, who was the first in her family to go to university, told
The Yorkshire Post: “We have seen a growing chilling effect and a real threat of censorship in our higher education institutions.
“Universities after all should be and have traditionally been bastions of free speech - hubs of innovation where even controversial and offensive opinions can be aired. That is how we progress society - how we challenge social norms and how we challenge the status quo and how we push the boundaries and evolve.”
But a group representing 12 institutions in the region has warned the decision could add to “unnecessary bureaucracy” for universities.
Universities to comply with free speech duties or face sanctions
Landmark Bill will require universities to promote freedom of speech on campus and legal duties will also be extended to students unions
From:
12 May 2021
A historic bill introduced in Parliament today (12 May) will strengthen the legal duties on higher education providers in England to protect freedom of speech on campuses up and down the country, for students, academics and visiting speakers.
The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill will bring in new measures that will require universities and colleges registered with the Office for Students to defend free speech and help stamp out unlawful ‘silencing’.
British Conservatives Eyeing Voter ID Requirement That Echoes Controversial U.S. Laws
On 5/12/21 at 10:22 AM EDT
Associated Press reported.
Civil liberties group said the law proposed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson s Conservative government could deprive millions of their vote, particularly the poor and members of ethnic minorities.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said Wednesday that the changes would protect the integrity of our electoral system against fraud and had nothing to do with party interests.
For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.
The British government announced Tuesday plans to toughen voting rules to require a photo ID at polling stations, a move it said will protect the democratic system against electoral fraud. Above, Prime Minister Boris Johnson chairs a session of the U.N. Security Council on climate and security at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on February 23, 2021, in London, England.