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Answer Overview

Response rates from 53.6k UK voters.

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 53.6k UK voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 53.6k UK voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from UK voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @9S7WCBRanswered…2yrs2Y

All speech should be protected from prosecution or litigation, but private companies should be free to ban certain kinds of speech from their workplaces or platforms

 @9DCWFC2answered…3yrs3Y

The definition of hate speech needs to be agreed and widely disseminated in the population before it can be penalised.
Holding religious beliefs that others see as intolerant or holding so called gender critical beliefs should not be in themselves hate speech.

 @9PFL4XBanswered…2yrs2Y

no. freedom of speech does not cover speech intended to cause harm but the explicit expression of opinion.

 @9NHJP5Danswered…2yrs2Y

You should be free to express your view in a clear and concise way, and for people to challenge that view

 @8C6LGS2answered…6yrs6Y

People should not be free to openly incite racist violence or make any other kind of discriminatory remark, but hate speech that is perceived to be spoken for the good of the people should be protected.

 @94XCQ2Tanswered…4yrs4Y

yes, but freedom of expression does not mean freedom from consequence

 @BDZYJDKanswered…2wks2W

The ECHR provides a framework to follow then it becomes the obligation of the state to show its response is proportionate, reasonable and falls with tbe margin of appreciation, which is accessed by a court. With rights, there comes responsibilities.

 @BDZ3PFKanswered…2wks2W

No, except where it is regulated by schools, employers, or contributes to harassment or violence.

About This Data

Based on 53.6k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

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Cite This Poll

iSideWith. (2026). “Should hate speech be protected by freedom of speech laws?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 25, 2026, from https://uk.isidewith.com/polls/4369297596

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