Updated 5 min 52 sec ago
September 28, 2026 22:29
LONDON — A new poll reveals that 54% of Britons believe the UK government only protects free speech it agrees with, as police arrested more than 200 demonstrators supporting the proscribed Palestine Action group outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. The survey, commissioned by human rights organization Liberty and conducted by More in Common, found that a majority distrust the government’s commitment to free speech. The findings emerged on Sunday as protesters gathered with signs supporting Palestine Action, leading to arrests under the Terrorism Act. Liberty described the results as a “very clear warning sign” for Prime Minister Andy Burnham, citing concerns over inconsistent enforcement. The organization emphasized that the most valued form of free speech is the ability to criticize those in power. Luke Tryl, director at More in Common, noted that worries about speaking freely span political lines. “Britons prize their ability to criticise the government, to express their views without legal or professional consequences, and to debate issues openly,” he said. The poll, based on a nationally representative sample of 2,017 adults in Great Britain from Sept. 11-15, also found that three in five respondents said a party’s stance on free speech would influence their general election vote. The controversy around Palestine Action escalated after the group was proscribed in July 2025 under the Terrorism Act 2000, with the Home Office citing serious property attacks, including at defense sites. Membership or expressing support for the group is now a criminal offense. The government insists that free speech and peaceful protest remain protected, but draws a line between expressing views and supporting a proscribed organization. “Freedom of speech and peaceful protest are fundamental rights that this government will always protect. But there is a clear difference between expressing a view and engaging in unlawful behaviour — such as inciting hatred and violence or supporting proscribed organisations,” the Home Office stated. Arrests linked to Palestine Action support have surged, with 2,819 arrests in the year to March 31, 2026, resulting in 484 charges.