Statement on George Galloway Event
Whilst the Students’ Union stands by the University of Buckingham’s strong foundation of independent thinking and free speech, we do not believe that these values have been positively represented in inviting George Galloway to speak on Monday 6th March 2023. As such, we have been in conversation with the University with the aim of cancelling the event. The University has declined our request to cancel and as a result the Students’ Union wishes to state that in no way do we align with this decision, or the views expressed by George Galloway.
This is a position held by many of our members who reached out to us to share their frustration, and is echoed by those external to the University who sought the Union’s stance on the event. Whilst we are choosing to respect the anonymity of those students by not publishing their names, we’ve received complaints from across the faculties and year groups, underlining the student consensus on this matter.
Freedom of speech is “the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, by any means.” (Amnesty International, 2020) However, this is not a right to say whatever, whenever without consequences. George Galloway is not an academic and his talk can in no way be described as academic expression. Some describe his opinions as simply un-factual, designed to be provocative, controversial, and harmful (see links below for examples). Our aim is not to “deplatform”; he has a platform, he regularly posts on Twitter and YouTube, he has his Russian state affiliated talk show, he has the ability to share his opinions publicly and as such we feel there is no need to allow these harmful views to tarnish the reputation of this University.
Freedom of speech comes with a responsibility, not only those who listen to your platform, but to those represented by your platform. In this case, the University represents themselves as well as current, prospective, and former students. We believe that the University should have respected the opinion of its students and cancelled this talk.
It has been stated that students will be encouraged to attend and debate their points of view, however it has also been reported that Galloway does not respond positively or productively to criticism (https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/23285). To expect our students to put themselves in a vulnerable position to be verbally attacked by an external speaker is unsatisfactory to the Students’ Union.
Below are a few examples of public statements made by George Galloway which we believe are harmful, should not be framed as free speech and evidence why we have chosen to speak out.
The Students’ Union will continue the conversation with the University, to ensure that we do not find ourselves in a position such as this in the future. Should you wish to share any concerns or feedback on this issue, please reach out to your sabbatical officers below.
Your Students’ Union,
Toby Corbett - President
toby.corbett@buckingham.ac.uk
Christine Telling – Vice President of Activities
christine.telling@buckingham.ac.uk
Toluwani Osamolu – Vice President of Student Voice
Tolu.osamolu@buckingham.ac.
Public Statements
Denying Russian war crimes
o https://twitter.com/georgegalloway/status/1511037709707526150
o https://twitter.com/georgegalloway/status/1596473849872535553
o https://twitter.com/georgegalloway/status/1595688585067655168 7
o https://twitter.com/georgegalloway/status/1595748975361261569
Denying Uyghur genocide in China
o https://twitter.com/georgegalloway/status/1311909100725456897
o “When a student rebutted Galloway by saying that 1.25 million Uighurs are held in prison camps, Galloway said that those imprisoned were Islamic terrorists. He went on to say that he favours shooting terrorists over imprisonment, a point he made in an Oxford Union debate previously.
Witnesses said Galloway “kept shouting at [the student]”, dismissing the numbers as propaganda. According to attendees, the atmosphere “completely changed” after this. One said she was “personally upset” and regretted not walking out. She said it was like being told off as a child; where you know someone with authority is wrong but feel too scared to say anything.”
https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/23285
o This is incredibly concerning as it has been well documented that these crimes against humanity are taking place. The university hosted Sir Geoffrey Nice QC to discuss this very issue and it seems deliberately provocative and disrespectful to then invite a public denier. Again, this is not a case a of free speech but of sharing harmful, false statements, whilst also not allowing students to debate the issue creating a hostile environment.
Antisemitic tweets
o https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48498010
o https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/03/talkradio-sacks-george-galloway
Scott Ritter
o https://twitter.com/georgegalloway/status/1622565725373358083
o Allowing a twice convicted sex offender to speak on his talk-show signifies that George is seeking controversy, not robust academic debate. Anyone who aligns with a person such as Ritter, should automatically raise serious concerns.
Having sex with a sleeping woman is “bad manners” not rape.
o https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/aug/22/george-galloway-sacked-holyrood-rape
o https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19323783
o A shockingly sexist and extremely harmful remark, one which the University should firmly be against