Where are Scotland’s free speech defenders?

In failing to discuss free speech, mainstream politicians are misjudging the priorities of the public. Opprobrium about the Hate Crime Bill extended to almost every corner of society. Critics emerged from the police, the legal profession, academia, religious groups and feminist organisations. The public is also exercised about free speech. Polling for the Free to Disagree campaign found that 87 per cent of Scots hold free speech to be an 'important right'. Two thirds of that same cohort felt debate is too quickly 'shut down'.

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