It seems to me - and indeed is my experience - that although there remains considerable freedom of expression in British universities the one aspect of the world that is beyond criticism (let alone resistance) is the managerial culture and practice in UK universities. To criticise this is to be "uncooperative" or "uncollegial". Indeed, refusing to take part in some of the idiocies of this culture is very difficult. The "silence" of academics is less about particular ideas than it is about the emergent practice of university management.
Mary Evans
Kent University