Speakers Corner as it’s become known is a paved area on the north east corner of Hyde Park where traditionally anyone has been seen to have the right to speak about any subject without intervention from legal or other authorities.
The legal case for this is a little murky and the police are allowed to intervene if they receive complaints, but generally the corner is seen as a little bastion of free speech where anyone can speak on pretty much any subject without worrying about being “moved on”. More recent court rulings and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights have strengthened the rights to speak about pretty much anything at the corner, as long as it does not appear to intend to invoke violence.
Today if you go to the corner you’re likely to see a large number of religious groups preaching in various philosophies, but there have been a number of more light hearted characters such as Danny Shine who preached “Don’t believe anyone, including me” and similar ideas about “the absurdity of society”.
Some parties and groups have occupied the corner for quite a number of years such as the Socialist Party of Great Britain (since 1904), Catholic Evidence Guild (1918) and Harry Young who probably holds the record for the longest time served at the corner (1906 to 1999) [speaker for the Socialist Party].
So if you’re ever around Hyde Park and see a large group of people, it might be worth wandering over to see what is being debated today…
Other links:
Attractions around Hyde Park
Hotels and B&Bs in Hyde Park
