Universities should not be ‘safe spaces’, May stated. No, the British PM< does not want to bring the country's higher education in danger. 'Safe spaces' is one of the terms used to describe a zero-tolerance policy towards speakers with bigoted or anti-LGBT views, intended to create an environment of tolerance towards minority groups.
Tory MP Victoria Atkins asked May: “Freedom of speech is a fundamental British value, which is undermined by so-called safe spaces in our universities, where a sense of righteous entitlement among a minority of students means that their wish not to be offended shuts down debate. As students around the country return to their places of learning at the start of this new academic year, does my right hon. Friend agree that university is precisely the place for lively debate, and that fear of being offended must not trump freedom of speech?”
The PM responded: “We want our universities not just to be places of learning, but to be places where there can be open debate which is challenged and people can get involved in that. I think everybody is finding this concept of safe spaces quite extraordinary. We want to see that innovation of thought taking place in our universities; that is how we develop as a country, as a society and as an economy, and I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend.”
