Originally posted by Flipside
In Covent Garden in London, there is a spot where people can stand and give their opinions on anything from World Politics to the 2000 Grand Prix. If people passing want to debate the issue, they are quite free to. It's the scene of some really interesting, and sometimes heated debates, but is, at least in my eyes, a true definition of Freedom of Speech. You cannot be arrested for Slander etc whilst at speakers corner, though, you can be arrested for inciting a riot if you get too carried away 
IIRc you can be arrested for slandering the Queen, though. I think that's more of a holdover from the last few centuries than an enforced rule.
I've never been there, but the nice thing is not so much the ability to speak, but the fact that people know they can go there are listen. I don't think there's any other equivalent in the Uk, though.... I've seen the odd dmeonstration (mostly over Iraq) in Glasgow, but there's not a dedicated permanent speaking bit.
Possibly the internet will take over that role over time... after all, it has here.
