As we bid farewell to 2023, reflecting on the impactful journey of Speak Easy, a student-led national movement dedicated to promoting free speech and open discourse, is fitting. Born out of a commitment to combat the stifling effects of cancel culture, Speak Easy has evolved into a beacon of intellectual diversity with branches at Exeter, Royal Holloway, and Warwick, with more to come in 2024. The following review will highlight the organisation's accomplishments throughout its first year and its pivotal role in fostering an environment where students can engage in discussions without fear of censorship or cancellation.
House of Lords Debate:
The highlight of 2023 was our inaugural debate in the House of Lords. Speak Easy tackled the contentious topic of whether private companies have the moral authority to censor legal speech online. Despite the opposition winning by a landslide (no, private companies do not have the right to censor legal speech online), both teams showcased their excellent debate skills and, what is more, did it in the presence of some esteemed members of the House of Lords.
Battle of Ideas Festival:
Speak Easy participated in a panel at the Battle of Ideas Festival, discussing its initiative and the Living Freedom summer school. Our president, Jack Barwell, and our secretary, Emma Zaoli, gave terrific speeches on what Speak Easy is about and why it is relevant in the university setting. The panel members could engage with a broader audience during the Q&A section, allowing discussion around several exciting and challenging subjects. Throughout the rest of the weekend, our members hosted a stand at the leading conference, through which we garnered significant interest from the public.
Lord Barwell and Yaron Brooks:
On the 27th of October, Gavin Barwell and Yaron Brook debated reform or privatisation of the NHS in the Windsor Castle pub in central London. The Speak Easy national movement president, Jack Barwell, chaired the debate. The debate covered a range of questions centred around the topics of whether the National Health Service model in Britain worked, whether people should be able to pay for higher quality private healthcare, and whether the quality of healthcare is better under a privatised system.
The audience thoroughly enjoyed the debate. Many interesting floor speeches given by Speakeasy members as part of our interactive free-thinking format allow the speakers to debate the arguments, take questions from the chair, hear floor speeches and respond to questions from the audience. Ultimately, the debate ended in a narrow victory for Mr Brooks, with a slight majority of the audience finding his arguments more convincing.
Evening with David Gauke:
Speak Easy held an event featuring David Gauke. Firstly, he went through his career and why he became an MP. This gave the members a unique opportunity to delve into his impressive career. Afterwards, the members participated in a Q&A session with many questions about the current state of the conservative party and how to "fix politics".
Finally, the members engaged in a roundtable debate on the Rwanda Bill. Asking whether the UK should leave the ECHR and analysing if the Rwanda Bill can "fix" illegal immigration. Then, a follow-up debate on disruptive protesting and whether it achieves its primary goals. Analysing why organisations like Just Stop Oil participate in disruptive protesting.
As Speak Easy concludes its first year, its journey stands as a testament to our resilience and impact in the successful pursuit of free speech and open dialogue. As we look ahead, Speak Easy is looking at a jam-packed 2024 full of exciting events and a promising expansion project.
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