A cabinet reshuffle in the United Kingdom has sparked controversy and raised concerns over civil liberties as Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, was dismissed for her comments about pro-Palestinian protesters. The decision by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to remove Braverman from her role came after she referred to the protesters as “hate marchers,” causing outrage and adding to the chaos in the country as tensions rise in the Middle East. Braverman’s dismissal is believed to be linked to her recent article in The Times, in which she accused the police of treating far-right activists more leniently than pro-Palestinian demonstrators. The article, described as “inflammatory” by The Times, was not approved by Sunak’s office.
Braverman’s removal from office, along with the surprising return of former Prime Minister David Cameron to politics, has led to criticism and mockery, with many observers viewing it as a sign of a government in crisis. Cameron, now serving as the foreign secretary, replaced Braverman after her dismissal. As Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle continues, tensions between communities are escalating, and rights groups are expressing concerns about a potential crackdown on freedom of expression.
Over the weekend, hundreds of thousands of protesters marched in London in solidarity with Gaza, while a small number of far-right groups staged counter-protests. The rally occurred a month after Israel began shelling the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas’s incursion into Israel. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and 11,000 Palestinians. Supporters of the Palestinian cause in Britain have accused political leaders and academic institutions of attempting to restrict or silence expressions of support for Gaza.
The demonstration took place on Armistice Day, a commemoration of the end of World War I, which Braverman and Sunak criticized as disrespectful. The protest, led by groups such as the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War Coalition, and Muslim Association of Britain, started at Hyde Park and ended at the US Embassy. Chants calling for the freedom of Palestine and an immediate ceasefire were heard throughout the rally. The heavy police presence resulted in over 100 arrests, mostly of counterprotesters.
Criticism of the British political establishment’s handling of the Gaza conflict extends to the main opposition Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer. Both Starmer and Sunak have expressed support for Israel’s actions, leading to resignations within the party. In Scotland, officials at the Glasgow Kelvin Constituency Labour Party resigned en masse after being told that discussing Gaza-related motions at party meetings would be considered “out of order.” The move has raised concerns about the party’s stance on freedom of speech and its approach to future debates on contentious issues.
British academia has also become embroiled in the conflict, with accusations that universities and university bodies are bowing to government pressure. UK Research and Innovation suspended its Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion advisory group following a complaint by the science secretary, Michelle Donelan, accusing some members of sharing “extremist views” on social media. This move led to a wave of resignations from UKRI peer review bodies by academics protesting against the government’s lack of respect for freedom of speech in universities.
The concerns raised by academics go beyond Donelan’s letter, with the UK Education Secretary Gillian Keegan reminding university vice-chancellors of their responsibilities under the anti-terrorism Prevent program and insinuating that support for Gaza is anti-Semitic. Academics have reported repressive techniques being used by university managers to prevent students and staff from showing solidarity with Palestine. Instances include preventing the distribution of leaflets and smearing pro-Palestinian rallies as supportive of terrorism without evidence.
Last month, reports emerged that the SOAS University of London had suspended students who participated in a pro-Gaza rally on campus. The suspensions were labeled as a targeted act of political repression by the SOAS Palestine Society, while the university cited violations of health and safety protocols.
As tensions continue to rise and concerns over civil liberties grow, the situation in the United Kingdom remains fluid. The government’s response to protests and its handling of academic freedom will be closely watched by rights groups and international observers.
