The FSU Files How To Fight Canel Culture And Win

Battle of Ideas audio archive

Subscribe to the Academy of Ideas Substack for more information on the next Battle and future events: https://clairefox.substack.com/subscribe THE FSU FILES: HOW TO FIGHT CANCEL CULTURE AND WIN https://archives.battleofideas.org.uk/2021/session/the-fsu-files-how-to-fight-cancel-culture-and-win/ The Free Speech Union (FSU) was launched in February 2020 by journalist Toby Young as a non-partisan, mass-membership public interest body that stands up for the speech rights of its members. Less than two years later, the FSU has almost 9,000 members and has provided support, including legal support, for over 500 people to push back against cancellation. While some people doubt that ‘cancel culture’ exists, the evidence from the FSU caseload suggests it is very real indeed. It gets about 50 requests for help a week, and their legal advisers have been called upon to represent bus drivers, train conductors, social workers, civil servants, council employees, students, teachers, police officers and academics from almost every field. All of them have found themselves in trouble for something they’ve said or written – none of it unlawful – ranging from being no-platformed to losing their jobs. What is it like to be publicly shamed for your views or beliefs, to have your words scrutinised by an employment tribunal or even by the police? More importantly, what inspires some to stand their ground and make their struggle public? Are new communities and movements beginning to flourish around freedom of speech? And how can we successfully defend individual speech rights, campaign for greater legislative protection and try to turn the tide on the wave of intolerance sweeping through our institutions? In this session, we’ll hear from individuals who’ve experienced first-hand what it’s like to be cancelled, but fought back – often successfully. speakers Sam Bayliss writer; literature student, University of Edinburgh; member, Free Speech Champions Nick Buckley MBE charity founder, writer, former mayoral candidate Lisa Keogh law graduate, Abertay University Harry Miller chairman, The Reclaim Party; founder, Fair Cop Gillian Philip Carnegie Medal-nominated writer; driver Chair Toby Young general secretary, Free Speech Union; author, How to Lose Friends & Alienate People; associate editor, Spectator