Today in Brexitland, March 12, 2023

Free Speech warriors on the right miss an open goal

“Whether or not you believe Gary Lineker should be sacked for apparently breaching BBC guidelines, the notion that he is a freedom fighter against a Far Right government is an absurd metro liberal fantasy",” tweeted Toby Young yesterday. I feel sad for Toby. Genuinely. This was a big moment for him, one in which he could have risen above partisan considerations and supported Lineker’s right to say what he said, demonstrating along the way how dedicated he is to the principle of free speech. Toby could have stated that he disagreed with every word Lineker had said but that he would defend his right to say it to the nth degree. This, after all, is what free speech is about, defending people’s right to say things, even when you disagree with them. It’s quite easy to defend people’s right to say things you completely agree with, it should go without saying.

Toby Young was not alone, however.

Brendan O’Neill, someone whose whole raison d’être is talking about free speech and how people shouldn’t be cancelled for what they say (particularly by their employers), had this response about the Lineker row:

“The shamelessness of the British chattering classes never ceases to amaze me. In the past couple of hours, the kind of people who stared at their feet as JK Rowling was threatened with rape and death for saying ‘men aren’t women’ are running around like modern-day Miltons, shouting ‘Free Gary!’ on a loop. Folk who say ‘Well, free speech has consequences’ in a cavalier way whenever an ex-Muslim is blacklisted for ‘Islamophobia’ or a TERF is cancelled for ‘transphobia’ now decree that free speech should not have consequences.”

This is classic whataboutery. That loads of people on the left aren’t particularly interested in free speech isn’t news, Brendan. However, the fact that lots of left-wingers in Britain have shut down debate on a score of topics does not give you the right to abandon your principles. If you want to point out the hypocrisy they have shown on things like the hounding of JK Rowling, go for it, but you know what buys you the space to do that? Supporting Gary Lineker’s right to free speech, even if you disagree with what he had to say.

Farage even got in on the act. “Gary Lineker has been spreading hate and should apologise,” he says. Nigel, may I remind you that you’re one of those people who go on and on about how people shouldn’t be cancelled for speaking their minds. That in a free society, we should have an open debate and not just shut those down who say things that are controversial. That old, “marketplace of ideas” chestnut. And now, Nigel Farage is demanding that Lineker, in essence, be cancelled.

Guys, I passionately believe in free speech myself. I would defend people’s right to say things I deeply disagree with. And that’s why on this occasion, I have to say that I am deeply disappointed in you all. This was a chance to bring people together under the banner of free speech, along the way earning you guys a right to speak to an audience about free speech who would normally be adversarial towards you all, and you blew it. You don’t like it when left-wingers cancel people for speaking against current left hegemonic cultural touchstones? Neither do I. Show that you are different now by backing Lineker’s right to free speech. You could have, and you didn’t.