FREE speech and freedom of expression are under attack from the Conservative government. Historically the left has been the champion of these rights against governments and states which have tried to constrain dissent through legislation and delegitimisation. The Johnson government has already passed laws and is proposing new laws which will restrict freedom of expression. This is a matter of concern for the whole trade union and labour movement. It is time to reaffirm the left’s tradition of defending freedom of speech and expression. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill is going through Parliament. The Institute of Employment Rights has described the 300-page Bill as a “Trojan horse” within which a wide range of measures are proposed which directly threaten the rights to demonstrate.