Conservative politician wants to know what professors are saying to students about the EU.
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Universities across Britain have been contacted by a politician from Theresa May’s party demanding they disclose what they are teaching about Brexit.
Chris Heaton-Harris, a Member of Parliament in the ruling Conservative Party, wrote to the heads of academic institutions asking them to give the names of anyone teaching about Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. He also sought information on what was being taught.
This is outrageous. Britain has long valued, & thrived from, academic freedom. This is not the 1960s McCarthy era #highered pic.twitter.com/B56XNQeYq9
— Matthew Goodwin (@GoodwinMJ) October 24, 2017
“I wonder if you would be so kind as to supply me with the names of professors at your establishment who are involved in the teaching or European affairs, with particular reference to Brexit,” Heaton-Harris who campaigned to leave the EU wrote. “Furthermore, if I could be provided with a copy of the syllabus and links to the online lectures which relate to this area I would be much obliged.”
Academics responded with astonishment at what many saw as a politically-motivated attempt to intervene in the education system.
If Chris Heaton-Harris wants to know what I teach about #Brexit he’ll need to cough up £9250.https://t.co/mTath2OT4r
— Alan MacLeod (@alan_macleod) October 24, 2017
Shall we save them the admin?
We’re ALL talking about #Brexit in teaching, not just in ‘European affairs’ https://t.co/f495bgIwnL— Prof Katy Shaw (@ProfKatyShaw) October 24, 2017