Free speech is a term that has been used a lot recently, with the threats to it across the pond in the US to politicians in this country attempting to weaponize it. In this article James, Somerset Member of Youth Parliament takes a look at just how free our speech is and the privilege that we often take for granted.
In the media, a free speech row has erupted. Most notably, Nigel Farage claiming that Britain is like North Korea. The fallaciousness of this statement is clear from the mere fact that if it was true, he wouldn’t be saying that, because he would be in prison. Such statements are both dangerous and unfair, which is why I will be discussing the privileges of residing on our tiny Island.
Firstly, we are protected by laws that both stop discrimination and help us speak up. The equality act is often regarded as a dystopian piece of legislation, when in reality it gives us more rights. This is because employers have to treat us fairly, so we can speak up if we see inequality.
Secondly, our economy is one of the strongest in the G7. In 2024, it was acknowledged that the UK economy was growing quicker than the USA, according to Rishi Sunak. This shows how resilient our country is in response to global crashes.
Finally, our country has a brilliant community spirit that is unmatched in other places. Our diversity means that we constantly have things to talk about with each other, and there is a constant stream of new people moving in. Due to our good financial situation, we don’t fight each other for food and resources, and unlike other countries our harvests are mostly successful.
The reality is, we have become so accustomed to our privilege, that some people no longer appreciate them. Instead of bickering, we should appreciate each other and acknowledge what is good in life, even during struggles.
James
Nominations are open for the next Somerset Members of Youth Parliament!
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Youth Parliament Elections, where young people aged 11-18 years who live, go to school or college in Somerset can self-nominate for the chance to represent their peers, campaign on issues that matter to young people and represent Somerset on the national stage.
For more information about the elections and to self-nominate, visit our Elections page.
