Cultural Sector: Freedom of Speech

Lord Polak Excerpts

Wednesday 8th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

Like a number of noble Lords across your Lordships’ House, I had the pleasure and privilege of being an assembly member while the former Prime Minister was Mayor of London. I am going to say absolutely nothing about my noble friend’s point.

[Lord Polak (Con)]

My Lords, since 7 October 2023 the atmosphere in the cultural sector towards Jewish artists, writers and performers has been chilling. The Tate has been threatened with a boycott unless it ends sponsorship from trusts deemed to be close to Israel. Michael Etherton, the head of the UK Jewish Film Festival, has stated that cinemas have now made it almost impossible to make film bookings. What action are His Majesty’s Government taking to protect Jewish people, who contribute so much to the country’s cultural sector?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for bringing us back to a specific example that is adversely affecting a significant portion of our society. Anti-Semitism has absolutely no place in our society, which is why this Government are taking, and will take, a strong lead in tackling it in all forms. Making sure that all British Jews are not only safe but feel safe and able to express their views, cultural identity and religious views is really important. It is unacceptable that, in 2025, this could ever be called into question.