Associate editor at The Spectator and founding director of the Free Speech Union, Young specializes in:
Young's career began with the co-founding of The Modern Review in 1991, where he cultivated his signature blend of highbrow cultural analysis and populist critique. This early work established his reputation for bridging academic rigor with accessible commentary, a duality that would define his later output.
His New York period produced the bestselling memoir How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, adapted into a 2008 film. This era saw Young refining his observational wit while engaging with American media landscapes, skills that later informed his comparative analyses of UK/US free speech issues.
Young's current work focuses on systemic challenges to civil liberties, particularly through his leadership of the Free Speech Union (founded 2020) and education reform advocacy. His 2025 appointment to the House of Lords marked a transition from commentator to policymaker, though he continues to write regularly for The Spectator.
This first-person account of entering the House of Lords combines institutional history with sharp political analysis. Young dissects the paradox of maintaining tradition in a modern democracy, using his own peerage appointment to examine broader questions about representation and expertise in governance. The article's significance lies in its insider/outsider perspective, offering both procedural insights and critical reflections on political reform.
Young defends controversial innovation in this piece analyzing tech governance. Through Musk's case study, he argues for separating personal conduct from scientific contribution, advocating for merit-based evaluation in academic institutions. The article's impact was amplified by its timing during debates over cancel culture in STEM fields.
This pandemic-era manifesto established Young as a leading lockdown skeptic. Combining cost-benefit analysis with civil liberties arguments, it influenced subsequent debates about emergency powers. The article's methodology blended public health data with philosophical reasoning, exemplifying Young's interdisciplinary approach to policy issues.
Young consistently prioritizes grassroots educational initiatives over top-down policy mandates. Successful pitches should highlight innovative school models or parent-led campaigns, particularly those challenging bureaucratic obstacles. His 2024 piece on Buckingham University's governance crisis demonstrates his interest in institutional accountability.
When discussing AI or content moderation, emphasize impacts on intellectual freedom rather than technical specifications. Young's 2024 analysis of Google's AI email features shows his preference for examining corporate power through a civil liberties lens.
While Young engages with international trends, he prioritizes UK-specific manifestations. Pitch stories that connect global movements (e.g., climate activism, identity politics) to British institutions, as seen in his 2023 critique of London's Low Traffic Neighborhoods policies.
Young frequently uses historical precedents to contextualize current events. Pitches comparing contemporary free speech challenges to past censorship struggles (e.g., 18th century press freedoms) align with his analytical approach.
While critical of government overreach, Young seeks practical alternatives. Successful pitches offer actionable proposals, mirroring his 2025 House of Lords speech outlining reforms to the Online Safety Bill.
Awarded for his leadership of the Free Speech Union during the pandemic, this recognition highlights Young's role in maintaining debate spaces during crisis periods. The prize, judged by prominent academics and journalists, honors intellectual courage in challenging majority opinions.
Young's elevation to the peerage as Baron Young of Acton acknowledges his impact on education policy and free speech advocacy. The non-partisan nomination process emphasized his ability to bridge political divides on civil liberties issues.
"Free speech isn't about protecting popular opinions - it's about safeguarding the right to express unpopular ones. A society that only tolerates agreeable speech isn't truly free."
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Politics, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
