Overview

• A confidential working group chaired by Dominic Grieve closed its evidence-gathering phase on July 20 without public input into the draft definition.
• Polling conducted July 16–18 by J L Partners shows Labour support falling from 23 percent to 20 percent and Reform UK rising from 29 percent to 30 percent if the definition is adopted, potentially shifting more than 100 Commons seats.
• A Commission for Countering Extremism study finds 39 percent of Britons believe Islam already enjoys excessive legal protection and 35 percent admit to self-censoring when discussing Islamic issues.
• Free-speech advocates and critics warn the proposed definition could inhibit legitimate debate on sensitive topics such as Asian grooming gangs by equating criticism with hate speech.
• Labour officials say the final definition will preserve freedom of expression even as the secretive panel continues drafting guidelines for public-sector use.