Dr L Blaxill v The Master (or Keeper) and Fellows of Peterhouse in the University of Cambridge: 3308240/2023

EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS

Case No 3308240/2023

Between

Dr Luke BlaxillClaimant

The Master (or Keeper) and Fellows of Peterhouse in the University of CambridgeRespondent

Before

Employment Judge Hindmarch

Mr Gray Counsel for claimant

Mr Brittenden KC for respondent

Date 12 June 2025

JUDGMENT

[1]The specific belief that the Claimant held is set out at paragraphs 2 and 3 below and is a philosophical belief protected by the Equality Act 2010.

[2]The Claimant holds a philosophical belief in “revisionist political history”. He believes:a. The masses and non-elite political actors are the active drivers and shapers of change in politics and society;

b. Political elites seldom have control over the masses – change is not driven from the top, but from below, with elites adapting in response to public opinion;

c. Society and history are best understood through studying mass participatory politics from the bottom up;

d. Non-elites have been systematically excluded from the historical record and historiography. Where possible, historical research and teaching should seek to remedy that by deliberately bringing marginalised groups, such as women, the voteless and local communities, to the foreground; 1 of 3

e. Gender is a fundamental lens through which we can understand history, society and power dynamics, and something that should be deliberately researched and taught in its own right.

[3]These beliefs belong to the philosophies of history known as:a. Low political history;

b. Revisionist political history;

c. Poststructuralist history and discourse analysis; and

d. Feminism.

[4]The specific lack of belief that the Claimant held is set out at paragraph 5 below.

[5]“Traditional political history”. This believes:a. Elites are the drivers of decision-making in society and history.

b. Political elites manage the masses, change is seldom led from below;

c. Society and history are best understood through the decision-making, thought and manoeuvre of a tiny minority at the top, described by the late Maurice Cowling as the “50-60 politicians in conscious tension with one another”;

d. In a Burkean Conservative view of society and politics – sceptical of revolution, change driven by pressure from below, the wisdom of popular movements, and favouring an understanding and account of society that privileges elites, constitutionalism and gradualism;

e. The focus of historical research and teaching should be: i. The nation state (rather than the transnational); ii. National institutions like the monarchy, government, Parliament and the Church (rather than “plebeian” and participatory organisations or movements”); iii. Political leaders (rather than the masses or minority groups); and iv. Political ideas (rather than the vernacular or “everyday”) 2 of 3