One in four students fear being ‘cancelled’ over views

FEARS of so-called “cancel culture” mean that almost a quarter of students do not share political views at university, a poll has found.

The National Union of Students found that 23 per cent were less likely to air their views in case they fell victim to a campaign to shun or silence them.

University campuses have increasingly been embroiled in rows over freedom of speech, as unpopular or unfashionable issues draw criticism.

Earlier this year, the Office for Students warned that freedom of speech is at risk of being stifled at universities after it emerged that a record number of speakers and events were rejected in the past year.

Susan Lapworth, the watchdog’s chief executive, said at the time that topics that “some may find offensive or controversial must be open to free debate” on campuses.

The poll of 1,900 UK students by Endsleigh Insurance also found that 17 per cent of respondents felt there was a culture of “toxic masculinity” on their campus.

While overall student happiness has increased – it is now plus 36, compared with minus 16 the year before, when the effect of Covid lockdowns was still a factor – there is increasing concern over the mental health of students.

Around a third (30 per cent) said their mental wellbeing had deteriorated over the past year with 46 per cent worried about their finances.

Just over a quarter (26 per cent) have sought specialist help as a result.