ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates how the policy of ‘no platform’ was expanded by individual student unions in the 1980s beyond the original policy established in the 1970s, which targeted explicit racists and fascists. As issues of women’s liberation and gay rights became more prominent in the 1980s, some students argued that the ‘no platform’ policy should be extended to include sexists (including anti-abortionists) and homophobes. This was promoted as part of wider campaigns against sexual and homophobic violence on campus. Some of who supported the original policy of ‘no platform’ in the previous decade objected to the expansion of the tactic to these other areas of oppression and discrimination. Many of those who resisted the expansion of the tactic to sexists and homophobes were more supportive of the tactic being used against individual fascists, such as the NF’s Andrew Brons at Harrogate College and Patrick Harrington at the Polytechnic of North London. However, others criticised this approach as it focused on individuals either teaching or studying, rather than giving formal speeches on campus. This chapter explores how ‘no platform’ was debated in the 1980s, reflecting the new challenges to students once the NF went into decline.
