Latest post covers controversies in the arts - then and now. Main feature is brilliant talk by Ella Nixon 'Scandalous Public Sculpture in Interwar London', - adapted from the talk at our recent summer school. Link in reply ⤵️

Conflict, controversy and censorship in the arts livingfreedom.uk/p/conflict-con…

The narrative is crumbling, the public are in revolt, and even elites are beginning to jump ship. Dominic Cummings Dominic Cummings explains why Britain is on the verge of a political earthquake. From Mathias Corvinus Collegium’s #MCCFeszt

Hard to keep up with Gov's anti-free speech attacks. Mike Graham 🇬🇧 & I discussed one of most outrageous: Whitehall's sinister surveillance unit -designed to monitor terrorist Jihadis- now spying on "concerning" attitudes to asylum hotels. Public increasingly treated as 'Enemy within'.

Australian law says sex is ‘changeable' - so abolishing women. But the fightback is on #GigglevTickle Don't miss @fox_claire interviewing the two articulate & courageous warriors @Salltweets Katherine Deves Morgan 🇦🇺🚺 leading struggle to reclaim sex-based rights youtu.be/njXkV2tJrvg?si…

There's no room at Edinburgh International Book Festival for women who believe biological sex is real and fight for women's rights. So much for the 'be kind' chattering classes of the cosy Edinburgh literary scene, says Susan Smith of For Women Scotland (link below)

Read the article here: academyofideas.uk/p/edinburgh-in…

Debating ideas is hugely important, says Ceri Dingle of WORLDbytes - and capturing them for posterity is both exciting and vital. That's why she's inviting you to join the team filming this year's Battle of Ideas festival. (Link below)

Read Ceri's piece here: academyofideas.uk/p/shooting-the…

It's 20th year of #BattleFest - so 20 years of education charity WORLDbytes filming & editing best public debates in the UK *YOU* can volunteer to join crew - whether experienced or a novice. You'll get training to shoot & edit.. and weekend pass to festival Apply now⤵️⤵️

Fraser Nelson Interested in #Progress? Come along to the next Bookshop Barnie with Ben Cobley, author of "The Progress Trap" interviewed by the author of "Enemies of Progress" 7pm - 8:30pm 9th September FREE: All welcome #development #improvement Fraser Nelson #growth eventbrite.co.uk/e/bookshop-bar…

20 years of this bastion of free speech, and still people carp at Claire Fox's peerage. Her Academy of Ideas #BattleFest has done more to reinvigorate public intellectual debate and free academic inquiry than any other organisation or event. Long may it (and she) continue.

Let Them Go! 🎗️

Proud to walk on Downing Street with thousands of others calling for the hostages kidnapped by Hamas to be freed 🎗️ #BringThemHome

Mr Benn entered the shop one last time. Suddenly the Shopkeeper appeared. "It's time to go" he said. Remembering Ray Brooks, accomplished actor and Mr Benn narrator who has died aged 86.

Thousands have gathered in London this afternoon to call for the release of the hostages. They’re marching peacefully. No hate. No violence. No anger. Just pain. This is what a peaceful protest looks like when your cause is just. Bring them home NOW.

"An attack on a theatre or a gallery is a deliberate attack on peoples' psyche" At #BATTLEFEST 2024, Rosie Kay talks the dangers of cancel culture in the arts. youtube.com/watch?v=cD2OAW…

Highly recommended from Claire Fox on the importance of hospice care & why the assisted dying bill needs challenging. Together with a tribute to our colleague, Rob Bashford, who has sadly passed away. RIP Rob 🙏

This is outrageous. The National Librarian removed The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht from the centenary exhibition for the National Library of Scotland, after staff complained its contents were “hate speech” comparable to racism. thetimes.com/article/1ceff9…

The interview on "Progress: A History of Humanity’s Worst Idea" Hugo Rifkind Times Radio made clear that it's intellectually weak compared to Ben Cobley's excellent "The Progress Trap". Ben's book will be discussed here: eventbrite.co.uk/e/bookshop-bar… 9 Sept 7 - 8:30pm FREE online