Katharine Birbalsingh, the headteacher of Michaela Community School in north-west London, has accused the Oxford Union of effectively disinviting her from a scheduled debate on British identity. The event, which was set to take place on Thursday, revolved around the motion: 'This house believes that being British is a birthright, not a choice.'
Ms Birbalsingh, often referred to as Britain's 'strictest headteacher,' stated that the Oxford Union ignored repeated requests from her personal assistant for further details about the debate, thereby making her attendance impossible. She expressed her frustration in a letter to the debating society's president, which was subsequently shared on social media.
'Stonewalling is never a good look. At the very least, you might have written and explained that you had changed your mind,' she wrote. The headteacher further criticised the student body for what she described as 'rudeness.'
Ms Birbalsingh claimed she was initially scheduled to speak opposite Carl Benjamin, a Right-wing YouTuber and political commentator. However, his invitation was reportedly rescinded on the morning of the debate after allegations emerged that he had made threats of sexual violence against Labour minister Jess Phillips.
In her letter, Ms Birbalsingh remarked: 'Having now observed online that you chose to rescind your invitation to Carl Benjamin, who would have been on the opposing side to me in the debate, I see that at the very least, your rudeness is widespread. That's the thing about life, you see: you will come across people whose views you do not like. Carl and I may disagree, but I believe in treating him with decency and respect nonetheless. This is the nature of the adult world.'
This incident is not the first instance of cancel culture or de-platforming on university campuses. Firefighter and trade unionist Paul Embery previously claimed he was disinvited from a debate on Labour and the working class in 2025 due to his gender-critical views.
Speaking to GB News, Ms Birbalsingh expressed her disappointment: 'When you just think of what the Oxford Union used to be, it was so revered and so admired... it was just such a different place, really. And now it's just, it's so embarrassing. They're just political activists who have hijacked the union in order to fulfil their own desires. And they're certainly not interested in critical thinking or in hearing anything that would slightly offend them.'
Last year, Ms Birbalsingh condemned 'gentle' middle-class parenting tactics for eroding traditional child-rearing methods and destroying working-class families. She argued that parents should embrace being authority figures and stop giving their children choices in food and clothes. The headteacher noted that it was impossible to find traditional parenting books that gave parents permission to tell their children what to do and teach them right from wrong. Instead, modern methods focused on 'understanding the child' and 'communicating with their needs,' rather than how to 'teach them right from wrong.' She also criticised those who did not teach their children to read and count.
The University of Oxford declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail. The Oxford Union has been contacted for comment.
