The University of Oxford’s Oriel College is under sustained and intense pressure to cancel an event organised by the Universities’ Reform Society: An evening with Nathan Cofnas: Is DEI undermining higher education? Oxford campaign groups, British academics, members of the public and Oxford alumni have signed an open letter urging Oriel to “withdraw its facilities from the event”. The letter claims the event “risks creating a hostile and exclusionary environment for students, particularly those of ethnic minorities” and “risks undermining Oriel’s role as a world-class educational institution”.
Cofnas was heavily criticised for making allegations of plagiarism against the former Cambridge professor Jason Arday, who committed suicide after intense media scrutiny. Cofnas’s advocacy of “race realism” is also highly controversial. “Batty”, “pseudoscientific” and “bigoted” are just some of the milder dismissals of his sweeping racial generalisations and claims that black people are genetically less intelligent than white people and would be largely absent from positions of influence in a genuinely meritocratic society. Find a full critique by Albie Amankona here.
But just because many would dismiss his views as deeply objectionable, does this mean he should be denied a platform? Having accepted a request from the students of Oxford’s Reform society to host a discussion, in a statement, Oriel rightly reaffirmed its commitment to lawful free speech, stressing that allowing an event to take place does not imply endorsement of the speaker’s views.
The controversy is an important test of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, which requires universities and their colleges to take reasonably practicable steps to protect lawful free speech, including that of visiting speakers. Since September, visiting speakers have also been able to bring complaints to the Office for Students if those duties are breached. The regulator’s guidance establishes a “very strong presumption in favour of permitting lawful speech”, while Oriel’s own code of practice states that cancellation “is undesirable and should be exceptional”.
Having already survived the Rhodes Must Fall controversy, Oriel deserves credit for standing firm in the face of considerable public pressure. Far from undermining its standing as a “world-class educational institution”, allowing the event to proceed would demonstrate its commitment to free speech. If students dislike what Cofnas has to say, they should attend the event and try to make his arguments look silly – especially those students from the ethnic-minority backgrounds who Cofnas will claim benefited from DEI culture.
LIVING FREEDOM EVENTS
Does AI undermine human agency?
Living Freedom Forum, Westminster, London
Tuesday November 24th, 6.30pm–7.45pm
“Why do we so readily grant machines human-like agency rather than recognising their reliance on human choices? The central dilemma remains: when AI reshapes society, is it safer to trust private companies or governments to manage the transition? And who ultimately decides how AI is commanded: designers, regulators, investors or individuals?”
Speakers include Abhishek Saha and Sandy Starr. Chair: Jake Weston.
Find out more and register here
Rebellious youth: what does left and right mean for Gen Z?
Battle of Ideas Berlin 2026
Saturday November 28th, 11.30am–7.30pm · Berlin, Germany
Later this month, Living Freedom heads to Berlin, where we are hosting this debate as part of the Battle of Ideas Berlin. Join us for a full day of debate on the major questions of our time. As well as the future of Gen Z, topics include free speech, toleration, populism, national sovereignty, gender wars, religion and offensive comedy.
Subscribers to this Substack are eligible for 20% off tickets. Use code EFSN26 (apply in Eventbrite).
Find out more and book here
ALUMNI WATCH
It’s been a busy month for Living Freedom alumni, especially with so many speaking at the Battle of Ideas festival…
LIVING FREEDOM ALUMNI SPEAKING AT THE BATTLE OF IDEAS FOR THE FIRST TIME
Jack Kelsall on FIFA, Manchester City and the future of football; David Strickland on LGB & TQI+: the history and future of a forced marriage; Tess Ashen on The corruption of the university?; Oliver Walsh on Why are influencers so influential? & Lukas Seifert on From ADHD to autism: negotiating the special-needs crisis.
SEBASTIAN MOORE RUNNING FOR SDP LEADER
Good luck to Living Freedom alumnus Sebastian Moore, who is running to become the next permanent leader of the Social Democratic Party.
SAMUEL RUBINSTEIN ON THE MYTH OF ADULT BULLYING
Samuel Rubinstein writes for UnHerd on Tony Vaughan and the myth of adult bullying.
Read the article here.
FELICE BASBØLL ON SALLY ROONEY’S NOVEL PROTEST
Felice Basbøll writes for the Critic on Sally Rooney’s novel protest.
Read the article here.
EVENTS WATCH
TOGETHER 5TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT
Saturday November 7th · London
Speakers include Katharine Birbalsingh, Connie Shaw, Maeve Halligan, Alan Miller and more.
Readers of Living Freedom Substack aged 18 to 30 are eligible for free tickets
Book here (and use code LF1830)
GEOFF NORCOTT AT COMEDY UNLEASHED – LONDON
Tuesday November 10th, 7.30pm–10pm · Backyard Comedy Club, Bethnal Green, London
An evening of free-thinking comedy with headliner Geoff Norcott, alongside Blank Peng, Intel Lady and Josh Howie, with Dominic Frisby as MC. Doors open at 6pm.
Tickets here
THE HIGHER EDUCATION DELUSION – IEA
Wednesday November 11th, 6pm · Institute of Economic Affairs, Westminster
With Len Shackleton, Julian Jessop, Joanna Williams, Maeve Halligan and Saqib Bhatti MP.
Register here
IS FREE SPEECH ABSOLUTE? – BATTLE OF IDEAS
Thursday November 12th, 7pm–9pm · Brunswick Inn, Derby
An East Midlands Salon discussion, in association with the Battle of Ideas, exploring whether free speech really can be absolute. With Professor Dennis Hayes and Daniel Silveira, chaired by Vanessa Pupavac.
Find out more and book here
DEBATING MATTERS TRANSATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP – IDEAS MATTER
Saturday November 14th, 9.15am–6pm · Westminster
Debating Matters Transatlantic brings six teams from the US and UK to Westminster to debate four challenging issues. Audience members are encouraged to get involved by asking probing questions from the floor, so do come along to watch the debaters in action.
The championship final begins at 3.15pm.
To register, please email Emma at emma@ideasmatter.org.uk.
IS POLITICAL VIOLENCE ON THE RISE IN THE WEST? – CUFSS
Saturday November 14th, 7.45pm–9.15pm · Cambridge
With journalist and presenter Patrick Christys, followed by Q&A.
Find out more and book here