The reaction of Sussex University to yesterday's appeal demonstrates the commitment to censorship remains firmly embedded in our university system.

For too many university managers, commitments to EDI, 'emotional safety', decolonisation and trans ideology trump free speech.

🧵 There are various questions about the judgement, which may be appealed, and that others have laid out.

But at the same time, it is clear there is a need to look again at the enforcement mechanisms, and whether these need to be strengthened.

The Human Rights Act has unsettled our consitution, distorted policy making and immiserated our lives.

A new report for @Policy_Exchange sets out 25 cases - one for each year of the Act - that demonstrate its impact.

Here are 10 of the worst cases highlighted.

Thread. R v A (No 2) (2001)

This case stripped away important protections for rape victims.

It turned the meaning of rape shield legislation on its head, allowing cross-examination of complainants whenever the judge thinks this is justified.

Only by a more active approach to integration and can we build the vibrant, inclusive and patriotic society modern Britain deserves.

This is the core message of A Portrait of Modern Britain - by @rakibehsan and myself for @Policy_Exchange.

A thread of our top findings. With a foreword by @TrevorPTweets and backed by former Labour and Conservative Cabinet Ministers, the report offers in-depth analysis of the ethnic diversity of modern Britain.

Census data and exclusive new polling combine to paint a portrait of modern Britain.

The 'ha ha, these things aren't real crowd, aren't we clever' are the most tiresome.

They are all either real laws, or have been pushed for by serious, credible bodies.

The seven bins one is literally law and coming into force soon - it's in the Environment Act 2021. There is some wiggle room that means not every council need use 7 bins - and LAs have been debating this with government over the last year.

But seven is clearly the default. Here's a Labour councillor in Manchester saying they shouldn't have to do it:

manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-m…

While in DfE I personally saw an attempt by officials to remove an external adviser for expressing gender critical views.

The attempt was less sophisticated than the 'hit job' against Falkner, but used very similar means and language.

Thread.

telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/05/2… The individual concerned was a senior specialist in a part-time formal advisory role.

They were highly respected in their field of expertise, and had been in this particular role for several years.

The role was not concerned with gender or trans.

Thoughtful report by @instituteforgov on the value of an impartial Civil Service.

I largely agree on impartiality having a high value and the need to focus on effectiveness - but there are some elephants in the room it does not address.

Five elephants:

instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/ci… 1. How can Ministers respond to poor performance / repeated failures - particular if this is endangering delivery?

A means where Ministers can formally raise performance concerns with their Permanent Secretary would help.

A clear mechanism would also help avoid Raab situations.

(1/n) As a former SpAd, I'm often asked by vice-chancellors and other HE leaders why some in the Conservative party are more sceptical about universities than they'd like - and why it is so hard to make the case for more funding.

I find their responses to what I say fascinating. (2/n) I should emphasise that the below is not about any particular sector figure - I've had this conversation repeatedly over the last couple of years. Nor is it about any specific MP or Minister - there are a wide variety of views amongst MPs on HE, as on other matters.