Unis must learn to love free speech

REASONS to be cheerful: lockdown could be easing soon.

The vaccination rollout in the UK is better than almost anywhere else in the world.

And let’s face it: we could do a lot worse than having Boris Johnson as Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, here’s a real good news story: universities are going to be stopped by law from no-platforming people whose views they don’t like.

It’s taken the Government long enough to realise that a lot of universities in this country – including some of the most famous – have become a hotbed of socialist ideology.

If they don’t agree with you or they think your views may upset the little darlings attending lectures, you get no-platformed.

Apparently this could happen to somebody who declares themself a Brexiteer!

That keeps me out, though I haven’t really taken part in debates since the 1990s, when I spoke a few times at Oxford.

It was fun, but to be asked to participate now, when you have to make sure you don’t upset or wind anyone up, seems pointless. So well done. Free speech could be back soon at our seats of learning.

I SAT with bated breath to watch Sir Keir Starmer address the nation last Thursday.

He must be the dullest politician to rise to the position of party leader I have ever seen.

He presented in a way that only a ham actor who doesn’t get much work and rarely gets speaking parts would do; when looking into the camera there was just silence as he tried to make a point.

We’re all pathetic if Labour ever gets elected again. They need someone with charisma – not that I was a big fan – but somebody like Tony Blair. Or alternatively, on my radio show the other night I had Lord (David) Blunkett, who is incredibly funny, slightly risky but with a great personality.

I’m sorry, but when I look at Sir Kier I feel embarrassed for him. Whoever has been giving him lessons obviously doesn’t know anything about communication.