Our 300+ clubs and societies invite thousands of external speakers every year. Hosting one is not an endorsement by the Students' Union, or the wider student body. Staying out of those choices protects every society, including yours. At the same time, we expect our societies to exercise the privilege of hosting responsibly by making choices meant to educate, enlighten, and inform, and not to antagonise, insult, or hurt.
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LSESU is an educational charity, not a campaigning organisation
Regulated by the Charity Commission, we exist to advance the education of LSE students (in their capacity as LSE students) by representing, supporting and advising them, and by providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for discussion and debate. Societies hosting speakers and debates is part of that purpose. Students and societies are free to campaign for the causes they care about, and we support them to do so. Our Sabbatical Officers are elected representatives, and they are also trustees, legally responsible for ensuring LSESU acts within its charitable purpose - and a manifesto commitment or student policy motion does not change that purpose. When officers speak or act on behalf of the Union, they do so within charity law, including the requirement to stay out of party politics.
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The law is the line, and we apply it to everyone
LSESU operates under LSE's Code of Practice on Free Speech, adopted under Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, Section 43 of the Education Act 1986, and is bound by the Equality Act 2010, the Public Order Act 1986, the Terrorism Acts 2000 and 2006 and the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. Within the law, we will not refuse an event because views may be expressed that are offensive or unpopular, even when they conflict with our own values, and we apply this equally to every society and every viewpoint.
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Unlawful speech has no place here
LSESU does not set the parameters for what is – or maybe should be – illegal speech. Those are determined by the Home Secretary and Parliament and upheld by the courts. Incitement to violence or hatred, harassment, intimidation of individuals and other unlawful conduct are not permitted at any LSESU event.
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Every external speaker event organised by students goes through our events process, which includes a risk assessment
Further conditions may be added case by case – such as an independent or academic chair, whether it’s open to the public or just LSE community, and other conditions of attendance for speakers and audiences. If the law - or an event's conditions are breached - the event may be stopped and the matter referred to the appropriate body.
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Peaceful protest is free speech too
Students have every right to protest lawfully. Free expression belongs to everyone, not only the person invited to speak.