Today, I want to ask an important question: Do we really still have freedom of speech in the UK or Great Britain?
New Online Safety Laws and Rising Concerns
I recently came across an article in the Daily Telegraph discussing how new Online Safety Laws are behind a surge in VPN use. The article noted an 1800% rise in VPN usage due to age‑based content restrictions. Personally, I believe these laws might be less about protecting and more about restricting speech.
Another report in the Daily Telegraph — titled “Elite police squad to monitor anti‑migrant posts on social media” — revealed the Home Office set up a team of detectives to flag up signs of unrest. That article received nearly 10,000 comments, showing how worried many are.
30 Daily Arrests for Offensive Posts
The Times has reported the UK police are making over 30 arrests per day under laws like section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 and the Malicious Communications Act 1988. These arrests are reportedly for messages deemed to cause “annoyance, inconvenience, or anxiety”—things that many would see as harmless or trivial.
I find it astounding that people can be arrested for a tweet, while serious crimes like burglary get less attention. It feels more like intimidation than justice.
The Economist’s Warning
Even The Economist has highlighted how British police may be restricting speech in disturbing ways. The fact such a prominent journal is raising concerns speaks volumes.
Public Rejection of the Online Safety Act
An online petition to repeal the Online Safety Act has surpassed 490,000 signatures. Yet the government insists there are no repeal plans and that Ofcom will implement the law swiftly. They say it’s for public protection—but many see it as a step toward censorship.
A Billionaire’s Criticism of Britain
The Daily Telegraph reported that Norwegian tycoon John Fredriksen is selling his Chelsea mansion after saying the UK has “gone to hell.” He cited recent tax raids and an increasingly hostile environment. Perhaps hyperbolic — but revealing.
International Leaders Question UK Free Speech
In a recent discussion, British and American leaders spoke about free speech. The UK Prime Minister asserted that Britain’s proud heritage of free speech will endure. Yet the realities we’ve looked at present a very different picture.
Remember when JD Vance tore into Keir Starmer over free speech in the Oval Office, only to be hammered by the entire establishment media?
Turns out he was spot on. The Online Safety Act proves it. Censorship has triumphed over liberty.
Britain is knee-deep in authoritarianism. pic.twitter.com/RoCyrprX67
— Nicholas Lissack (@NicholasLissack) July 26, 2025
True Freedom Comes from Christ
Thankfully, as Christians, our freedom doesn’t depend on governments—it comes from Jesus Christ alone. The Bible says:
John 8:32 — “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:36 — “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 — “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Galatians 5:1 — “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
Romans 8:1–2 — “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus… For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
I visited a large church in London recently and saw true freedom in the people there—because where the Spirit is, there is liberty.
A Prayer for True Freedom
If you’re watching and you haven’t found true peace, consider this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I acknowledge You as Lord and Saviour of my life. I repent of all my sins and I ask You today to take over complete control of every aspect of my life. Amen.
If you prayed this sincerely, amazing things await you—true freedom that no law can take away.
What Do You Think?
Do you believe freedom of speech still exists in the UK—or do you think it’s being gradually eroded? Please share your thoughts below or on the video.
Related Posts on A Countryman’s View
- Suppression of Free Speech in the UK? — A previous video and post exploring Article 19’s downgrade and growing censorship concerns.
- Schoolgirl In British Culture Ban – A Biblical Perspective — A young girl disciplined for wearing a Union Jack dress, prompting debate on culture and expression.
- Open Borders Britain *(insert your internal link here)* — Your thoughtful commentary on immigration, identity, and free speech.
Thank you for reading — may you know true freedom in Christ, even when the world seems to forget it.