Jeremy Stangroom

Where does the slogan “no debate” come from? Does anyone know when it was first used and how it caught on? And is it completely unprecedented for a new social movement to demand acquiescence without argument, or has anyone tried this before?

I remember it on campus from late 70s early 80s & associate it with the Anti-Nazi League / SWP. Usually in connection with keeping campus clear of National Front & other boot-boy types.

I see no-platforming groups who are actually violent (as opposed to ‘literally violent’) as quite different though.

John Carlisle (Tory MP) was often deplatformed in early-1980s, because of links to South Africa. Barclays Bank also ran into difficulties with student unions.

Barclays Bank apartheid SA action was a boycott, like divestment or sanctions absolutely not associated with 'no debate' or unwillingless to engage. Boycott often associated with turning up to shareholder meetings and AGMs to make the case, also letter writing, so all for debate!

I'm almost certain that I sat in Student Union meetings at Southampton University where students shut down Tory MPs who had links to Barclays Bank. Certainly John Carlisle was unable to speak. Dangers of reconstructed memory, of course.

I believe you, but I think boycott, which is primarily an economic tactic, feels quite different to 'no debate' which I genuinely can't think of any precedent for. Disputes over , for eg abortion rights and Palestine solidarity, have been incredibly bitter, but very much debated.

You are right, there are distinctions to be made. Can think of one or two cases in the historic past in context of university teaching where the argument has been made by students that X should not be permitted to discuss certain topics in class because even to raise them