The non-debate in the Oxford Union tonight highlights that we now live in a society where fear holds place over freedom. Despite Police having ejected non-members from the premises, it was decided that it was too risky to bring half of the members and speakers over to the debating hall, in case it prompted protestors to storm the premises. The two main speakers spoke to half an audience each in two separate buildings. The President then requested that no-one should applaud during the debate as this might enrage the protesters outside.
What should have happened was a full debate with all the speakers in the hall, with the door barred if necessary. As it happened, the protestors suceeded in disrupting the debate because of fear of the protest escalating.
Free Speech in this country is no more. We can now rewrite the old maxim -
I may not agree with what you say, i'd like to defend your right to say it, but i'm to scared about the consequences to do so.