This week I’ve been contacted by Nigel Beasant from Swindon Speakers Club who is campaigning to get a Speakers' Corner in Swindon.

Speakers' Corner is a special area dedicated to public speaking. The original and best known is in the North East corner of Hyde Park, London. I am supporting Nigel’s campaign as it’s a proud British tradition to give people stick at Speaker’s Corners and I look forward to this experience in Swindon!

Vibrant public debate is essential to our democracy and giving people the chance to air their views in a dedicated public space will be a great addition to Swindon.

Nigel said,

“I think Swindon could certainly benefit from having its own Corner where people can express themselves and exercise a right that has been won over time. We could be the first in the South West and it will further help put Swindon on the map.”

Nigel and the Swindon Speakers Club have started a debate on their website to find a location for the Speaker’s Corner in Swindon. I would encourage people to go to the website and join in the debate: www.swindonspeakers.co.uk

Swindon Mayor Steve Wakefield is backing the project, he said,

“I think what Nigel is doing is commendable. It just goes to show how the principles of democracy and free speech are upheld in this town.”

I hope that this campaign captures the imagination of local people and we can get a Speaker’s Corner set up soon.

-Write a letter to the local paper about it: Click Here