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Artwork for The Free Speech Union

The Free Speech Union

The Free Speech Union
Free Speech Union
Free Speech
Scottish Hate Crime Act
Hate Crime Act
Political Correctness
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Zero Tolerance Policy
Cancel Culture
Gender Identity
Hate Crimes
Transgender Issues
Wokeness
Matt Johnson
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Self-Censorship
Scottish Enlightenment
Thomas Aikenhead
Scotland
Censorship
Gaza War

Welcome to the Free Speech Union's podcast. Listen to our weekly episodes with great guests speaking about the cornerstone of our democracy which is under attack.

The Free Speech Union is a non-partisan, mass membership public interest body that stands up for the speech rights of its members and campaigns for free speech more widely. We champion the right of people from all walks of life to expr... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Artwork for The Free Speech Union

Latest Episodes

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg is a former cabinet minister and Conservative MP for North East Somerset, and now a GB News presenter. He says Jim Ratcliffe's comments about immigration has cleared the path for others, and that the Equality Act should be scrappe... more

FSU General Secretary Lord Young interviews Karl Turner MP, the leader of Labour's backbench rebellion against David Lammy's efforts to curtail the right to trial by jury.

Jack Anderton is a political campaigner and adviser for Reform UK. Bangor University Debating and Political Society refused his request to speak and debate with students as part of his 'A New Dawn' tour, claiming that Reform UK members and representa... more

David Rose is the Free Speech Union's Director of Research and Policy. His report on the Islamophobia working group has revealed that every single member has connections with Islamist organisations. #islam #freespeech #labour

READ THE REPORT IN FULL... more

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Recent Guests

Jack Anderton
Political campaigner for Reform UK and journalist
Reform UK
Episode: Jack Anderton: Debating society BANS Reform UK
David Rose
Director of Research and Policy, Free Speech Union
Free Speech Union
Episode: Why Labour's 'Islamophobia' definiton is WAY worse than you thought...
Lord Toby Young
General Secretary and Founder of the Free Speech Union
Episode: Toby Young: The unintended consequences for free speech if Peter Mandelson’s title is stripped
Brendan O'Neill
Chief political writer of Spiked
Spiked
Episode: Vibe-shift: it’s the twilight years for politics as we knew it: Brendan O'Neill
Lois McLatchie Miller
Free speech campaigner and writer
Episode: ARRESTED for talking about puberty blockers: Lois McLatchie Miller
Darren Grimes
Deputy leader of Durham County Council, outspoken advocate for free speech.
Durham County Council
Episode: The most INVESTIGATED man in County Durham – Darren Grimes
Kate Clanchy
Award-winning poet and author known for her teaching memoir.
Various literary institutions
Episode: COMING BACK FROM CANCELLATION with Kate Clanchy
Maxie Allen
Times radio producer and Lib Dem counselor involved in a wrongful arrest case against Hertfordshire Police.
Episode: "It was like a HORROR film!" Maxie Allen
Susan Smith
Co-founder and director of For Women Scotland
For Women Scotland
Episode: Police Scotland DROP investigation into Susan Smith

Hosts

Connie Shaw
Connie Shaw is a prominent voice advocating for free speech, serving as a host who brings forward discussions about the controversies and implications surrounding the issue.
Jan Macvarish
Jan Macvarish serves as a co-host and provides insights into the nuances of free speech debates, focusing on its implications in contemporary society.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 39 ratings
  • Frustrated

    Nocaponpodsfrfr has written a very thoughtful review which expresses much better than I ever could my thoughts on this podcast.

    I am a huge fan of the FSU and their work, and I really admire not only Toby Young but the team behind the organisation. They fulfill a vital function in our society and we are all better off for their efforts. But this podcast is not a good advertisement for all the team’s hard work.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Tomwoodhams
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Too much Ammo for NazBol attacks

    While the FSU does great work the presentation of this podcast does give plenty of inroads for the authoritarians to review bomb. There are a lot of ponderous references to the presenters’ classical educations. There’s a lot the pointless bob and curtsey of: ‘you first’ ‘no you first’ ‘no you first’. In other words talking about talking rather than communicating. It feels inwardly facing towards each other as colleagues rather than outwardly to the audience. I’d like to hear more directed conver... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nocaponpodsfrfr
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Absolute one eyed rabbit hole of a podcast

    Totally down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theory and it gets worse from week to week. Appallingly one sided - Listen with caution ⚠️

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MartyFarty
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • New Listener

    I got signposted to this via another podcast (Weekly Sceptic) after hearing it was now available on Apple podcasts.

    Keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KarateLass
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Criticism includes how the presentation sometimes feels more like internal dialogue rather than engaging outward to the audience, suggesting room for improvement in communication.
Listeners appreciate the insight and depth of discussions, highlighting the value of honest discourse around controversial topics.
Some feedback indicates a desire for more focused interviews that engage directly with the Free Speech Union's initiatives and actions.
Overall, listeners recognize the importance of the issues discussed but call for clarity and directness in content delivery.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#91
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#216
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#164
Hong Kong/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#220
New Zealand/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Labour's 'Islamophobia' definiton is WAY worse than you thought...
Q: What are the concerns about the composition of the working group and its advisors?
Rose outlines connections between group members and Islamist networks, questions the independence and representativeness of the advisors, and argues these ties could bias the definition and its application against free speech and critical discussion about Islam.
Why Labour's 'Islamophobia' definiton is WAY worse than you thought...
Q: Why is there a push to adopt a definition of anti-Muslim hostility rather than Islamophobia?
The guest explains that the government and some Muslim groups want a broader, potentially more enforceable framework that could be used by public bodies; they worry it would shield Muslims from hostility while also fearing the chilling effects and political pressures around redefining discrimination in law and policy.
Jack Anderton: Debating society BANS Reform UK
Q: What is your view on whether universities should host controversial speakers, and how should campuses handle safety and debate?
Universities should allow discourse and invite speakers representing popular political parties, but must balance safety; if protests arise, ensure fair access and encourage questions from attendees to keep debates constructive.
Jack Anderton: Debating society BANS Reform UK
Q: Can you tell us what happened with Bangor University's Debating Society and the invitation you and Sarah Poachin MP requested?
The society initially checked with its committee and declined, but published an official-sounding statement claiming Reform UK were not welcome and labeling us with insults; this sparked a wider discussion about free speech and how universities handle speakers.
ARRESTED for talking about puberty blockers: Lois McLatchie Miller
Q: Could you take us from the beginning and what led up to you being arrested?
Lois explains that she was campaigning on the streets with a colleague, discussing the impact of puberty blockers with the public, when they faced a hostile crowd and ultimately were arrested by police.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Free Speech Union

What is The Free Speech Union about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Centered on the critical discourse around free speech, the content ranges widely from personal anecdotes of public figures facing backlash to broader discussions about societal norms and legal frameworks affecting speech. Themes like cancel culture, political correctness, and the intersection of free speech with various social issues are frequently explored. This podcast presents voices from diverse backgrounds, including authors, activists, and public officials, who share their experiences related to free speech challenges in contemporary society. Listeners can anticipate both informative discussions and in-depth interviews that tackle contentious topics with a focus on the implications for public dialogue and individual expression.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Free Speech Union?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Free Speech Union:

1. heretics.
2. The Winston Marshall Show
3. TRIGGERnometry
4. The Sceptic
5. The Peter McCormack Show

How many episodes of The Free Speech Union are there?

The Free Speech Union launched 2 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Free Speech Union?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Free Speech Union?

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What guests have appeared on The Free Speech Union?

Recent guests on The Free Speech Union include:

1. Jack Anderton
2. David Rose
3. Lord Toby Young
4. Brendan O'Neill
5. Lois McLatchie Miller
6. Darren Grimes
7. Kate Clanchy
8. Maxie Allen

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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