The Social Media Ban Trojan Horse | The Sceptic Ep.87

How the Government’s social media ban for kids is a Trojan horse for digital ID, why Britain’s free speech laws are broken and the eye-watering cost of Net Zero. In Episode 87 of the Sceptic, Ellie Hodges is joined by Alan Miller, co-founder of the Together Declaration, to discuss the Government’s plans for an under-16s social media ban, the push for digital ID checks, VPN restrictions and what they could mean for free speech and privacy. Barrister John Holbrook explains why he thinks Britain’s hate speech laws are failing, how they have helped fuel cancel culture and why he believes free speech protections need a major rethink. And for premium subscribers, energy analyst and author Richard Lyon digs into the eye-watering cost of renewable subsidies – now topping £227 billion! – the growing pressures on the UK grid and why he believes Net Zero could leave Britain facing a serious energy trap. Donate to the Daily Sceptic to access our premium content.  Follow Ellie on X. Follow Alan on X. Join the together Declaration here.  Follow Jon on X. Read his report here. Follow Richard here. Buy his book The Energy Trap here. Check out his Subsidy Clock here. Produced by Richard Eldred. Filmed at the Westminster Podcast Studio.   00:00 Intro 02:29 Alan Miller on the Incoming Social Media Ban 09:13 Response to Katherine Birbalsingh on Child Safety 12:47 Has Australia’s Under-16 Ban Worked? 14:45 Expectations Under a Burnham Government 17:39 What Will Britain’s Internet Look Like in 5 Years? 23:57 Jon Holbrook on Being Cancelled 28:29 What Language Should Be Criminalised? 31:42 Repeal All Hate Speech Laws? 34:12 Protected Beliefs vs Cancel Culture 37:48 Reforming Online Speech Laws 41:08 Can These Reforms Roll Back Cancel Culture? 45:19 Richard Lyon on the True Cost of Net Zero 48:07 The Subsidy Clock 51:16 What Is the Energy Trap? 55:27 Being a Climate Sceptic is Irrelevant 1:04:15 A Sensible UK Energy Policy