Americano How worried are Americans about Britain?
Sep 6, 2025
Lee Cohen, a contributor at Spectator World concerned about free speech, and Ed West, author of The Wrong Side of History substack, dive into the growing worries among Americans about the state of free expression in Britain. They discuss how U.S. political figures influence the UK, especially regarding recent high-profile arrests. The conversation highlights the differences in constitutional protections and examines the implications of rising authoritarianism and proposed legislation on hate speech, fueling debates around UK-US relations.
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American Anglophiles Are Deeply Disturbed
- Many Americans feel deep disillusionment watching Britain restrict speech and punish critics under recent laws.
- Lee Cohen argues this erosion conflicts with Britain's historic role as a defender of liberty and alarms U.S. conservatives.
No First Amendment Leaves Britain Vulnerable
- Britain lacks a constitutional First Amendment equivalent, making it more vulnerable to progressive speech-limiting laws.
- Ed West links laws like the Communications Act and hate-speech prosecutions to a trend of criminalising offensive speech.
Real Cases Of Prosecutions For Speech
- Ed West recounts cases where people went to jail for private WhatsApp banter and for tweets, highlighting real prosecutions.
- He cites Lucy Connelly and others as emblematic examples of Britain's punitive speech enforcement.