Key facts
- Three in five people said a political party's stance on free speech would affect their vote.
- Liberty claims Labour's failure to protect free speech could cost it votes.
- Two in five people said arrests for supporting Palestine Action negatively impacted free speech.
- More than a third of people believe banning phrases at protests harms free speech.
- The Crime and Policing Act increased police powers to restrict protests.
- Over 3,600 people have been arrested for supporting Palestine Action.
Free speech will be a significant concern for voters in the next general election, with a poll indicating that a majority believe the government's current approach is detrimental to Britain. The survey, commissioned by the human rights organization Liberty from polling firm More in Common, found that three in five people would consider a political party's stance on free speech when deciding how to vote.
Liberty's director, Akiko Hart, stated that the findings should serve as a "stark wake-up call for the government," which she believes has lost public confidence on the issue. Hart emphasized the importance of a consistent, non-partisan approach to safeguard free expression while protecting individuals from discrimination.
The polling, released ahead of a panel event at the Labour party conference, also revealed that over a third of respondents felt that politicians calling for protest phrases to be banned negatively impacts free speech. Similarly, more than half of those polled believed that labeling protests as "hate marches" or "thuggery" was harmful.
Labour leader Keir Starmer has called for "tougher action" against certain phrases used at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, leading to arrests. The Crime and Policing Act, enacted in April, granted police greater powers to restrict protests. Palestine Action, the first direct action protest group to be proscribed, has seen over 3,600 supporters arrested, many for displaying placards in support of the group.
The UK supreme court is set to hear an appeal in November against the proscription of Palestine Action, with arguments that it disproportionately interferes with the rights to freedom of speech and protest.