Over 20 leading cultural figures have put their name to a letter urging the government to save the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act. They include novelists Ian McEwan, Antonia Fraser and Lionel Shriver, actor Stephen Fry, and intellectuals Steven Pinker, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Tom Holland and Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
The letter, organised by CAF and other free-speech groups, was reported on in the Times today. The full text of the letter, plus all signatories, can be seen here:
Open Letter in Support of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023
We are writing in support of the 650+ academics who have signed a letter to Bridget Phillipson urging her not to repeal the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act. Free speech in universities is a bedrock of freedom in literature and all the arts, yet it is being eroded. The Act offers our best hope of restoring a more tolerant climate, by giving lecturers and students ready access to justice when their free-speech rights are infringed. It would not override existing protections against incitement and hate speech.
We hope that the government does not thwart this important measure for the preservation of humane and liberal values.
Yours sincerely,
Neil Blair
Alex Byrne
Nicholas Christakis
Kate Clanchy
Sharron Davies
Denise Fahmy
Antonia Fraser
Stephen Fry
Magi Gibson
AC Grayling
Sarah Haider
Rob Henderson
Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Tom Holland
Carole Hooven
Rosie Kay
Sam Leith
Jenny Lindsay
Val McDermid
Ian McEwan
Jacob Mchangama
Simon Sebag Montefiore
Sir Andrew Motion
Steven Pinker
Lionel Shriver
Nadine Strossen
Mara Yamauchi