Toby Young, the founder and director of the Free Speech Union and associate editor at The Spectator, has been awarded a peerage and will take his place in the House of Lords next year. His appointment was announced by Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, alongside several other nominees, including Oxford professor Nigel Biggar, who has become known for his defense of controversial topics like the British Empire.
Young expressed his delight on social media, stating, "Delighted to take my place in the House of Lords next year." He added: "I look forward to working with the Leader of the Opposition on how to restore free speech to pride of place in our democracy and repair the damage Keir Starmer has done to this vitally important human right when she succeeds him as our next Prime Minister."
The nomination of Young has reignited discussions about the nature of free speech and its guardianship within British society. Kemi Badenoch characterized her appointments as 'true radicals' who adhere to Conservative principles. Writing on ConservativeHome, she said, 'They have helped other Conservatives... and put the hard graft... for no credit.'
Young’s past, marked by controversy, adds complexity to his new role. He was forced to resign from the Office for Students (OfS) shortly after being appointed back in 2018 when offensive tweets from over a decade ago resurfaced. These included misogynistic comments and crude jokes. Reflecting on his earlier comments, Young stated, "Some of the things I said before I got involved in education, when I was a journalistic provocateur, were either ill-judged or just plain wrong – and I unreservedly apologise." This admission adds to the already vibrant debate surrounding his suitability for the position.
Accompanying Young to the House of Lords is Nigel Biggar, who has similarly stirred debate, particularly concerning his views on historical criticisms of Britain. Together, they represent what supporters view as a much-needed counterbalance to the prevailing political culture, which often seems hostile to conservative principles.
Critics, nonetheless, question whether someone with Young’s history should have such influence. Journalist Andrew Griffith commented on his nomination, stating, "Peerages should never be rewards for failure," implying concern over Young's prior controversies overshadowing his contributions.
Beyond Young’s specific case, the political dynamics surrounding these appointments highlight broader tensions within British society around free speech, with supporters arguing for the necessity of diverse perspectives and critics cautioning against legitimizing historically discriminatory views.
The reaction to Young’s peerage reflects these divides. Many within the free speech community hail his nomination as recognition of the advocacy work carried out by the Free Speech Union, which champions freedom of expression against perceived encroachments like cancel culture.
Young’s future work within the Lords is anticipated to focus on legislation concerning free speech on campuses and broader societal contexts. With plans to collaborate with other conservative peers on this front, he aims to leverage his position to advocate for policies he believes will restore and safeguard free speech rights.
The appointments made by Badenoch, totaling six from the Conservatives and notable individuals from other parties, suggest strategic maneuvers to bolster Conservative influence within the House of Lords, especially since Labour holds fewer seats. Each nomination appears carefully crafted, signaling what the Tory leadership views as the need for proactive measures to maintain authority over higher education discourse and related subjects.
Overall, as Toby Young prepares for his new role, the mixture of anticipation and skepticism around his appointment serves as commentary on the current state of free speech debates within the UK. Will he steer the conversation back to what he sees as core Conservative values, or will his history hinder progress as his critics forecast?
Only time will tell as Young’s peers enter the House, equipped with varied agendas and hopes for their respective initiatives.
