text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill - Decline Second Reading
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  @ MP voted aye against strengthening freedom of speech protections in higher education institutions including universities. 
  
  @ MP voted no to strengthen freedom of speech protections in higher education institutions including universities. 
  
  The majority of MPs voted to strengthen freedom of speech protections in higher education institutions including universities. 
  
  MPs were considering the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill[1][2][3] 
  
  The Bill sought to require higher educational institutions to secure freedom of speech for students, staff and visiting speakers.  
  
  The Bill also contained a provision prohibiting discrimination against applicants for academic posts on the grounds they had exercised their freedom of speech. 
  
  The motion under consideration was:
  
  :That the Bill be now read a Second time.
  
  The amendment rejected in this vote was:
  
  :to leave out from âThatâ to the end of the Question and add:
  
  :âthis House 
  :''declines'' to give a Second Reading to the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, notwithstanding the need to ensure legal protections for freedom of speech and academic freedom, because the Bill is a hate speech protection bill which could provide legal protection and financial recompense to those seeking to engage in harmful and dangerous speech on university campuses, including Holocaust denial, racism, and anti-vaccination messages.â
  
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  * [1] [https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/2862 Parliament's webpage on the  Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill], Parliament.uk
  * [2] [https://bills.parliament.uk/publications/41479/documents/212 Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, as introduced, 12 May 2021], Parliament.uk
  * [3] [https://bills.parliament.uk/publications/41480/documents/213 Explanatory notes to the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, as introduced, 12 May 2021], Parliament.uk
  
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  