Kathleen Stock says she is a ‘moderate’ as protests planned over Oxford debate
GuardianAPR 2023
The Spin
Right narrative
Criticism of Stock's appearance at the Oxford Union has been disappointing. Both Oxford and Cambridge often set the tone for intellectual discussion, and the desire to shut down the event could have had major implications for all other institutions. The Oxford Union must continue to stand firm and defend the importance of free speech.
Left narrative
Free speech should not be used as a guise to defend hate speech, which is what Stock is promoting regardless of her claiming not to be transphobic. Tellingly, though she claims to be an advocate for women, both of Oxford's originally all-female colleges have condemned her appearance. More voices must speak up to prohibit dangerous speakers from being invited to the Union again.