Counter extremism measures at universities won’t prevent radicalisation, says Cable

Former Business Secretary Vince Cable has said that government efforts to counter extremism at universities will lead to bland debates without preventing radicalisation.

Cable’s warning comes amid a strong government push to counter-extremism at universities, with plans to ban non-violent extremists from speaking.

The former Liberal Democrat MP believes that this kind of blanket ban could further exacerbate the problem, by forcing these kind of debates underground.

Speaking at the Institute of Advanced legal studies on 27 October, Cable will say: “Instead of intellectual challenge there will be a bland exchange of views which are inoffensive and politically correct.

“This will not stop terrorism or terrorist recruitment, and may make the problem worse by driving underground those who are regarded as extreme but are currently non-violent.

“It seems highly likely that university authorities in particular will be risk averse and will seek to avoid the danger of legal action from the authorities in respect of extremist speakers.”