No Platform: Speaker Events at University Debating Unions

This report analyses the state of debate on UK university campuses, with particular reference to student debating societies. It finds existing problems include a lot of ‘quiet’ no-platforming, meaning students are put off from inviting external speakers by the hassle, cost and risk of controversy. While rejecting the idea that there is a free speech crisis, the report nonetheless recommends improvements to the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill to ensure it encourages lively, illuminating and well-attended events.

The 19 societies considered in detail in the paper are:

1. Aberdeen Politics and International Relations
2. Bristol Politics
3. Cambridge Union
4. Cardiff Politics
5. Durham Union
6. Essex Politics
7. Hull Politics
8. Imperial Debating
9. Lancaster Politics
10. LSE Debate
11. Nottingham Politics
12. Oxford Union
13. Reading Politics
14. Sheffield Politics
15. Southampton Politics
16. Stirling Politics
17. Sussex Politics
18. UCL Debating
19. Warwick Union