Swedish author Andreas Malm was denied entry to the United Kingdom after the Home Office cancelled his Electronic Travel Authorisation, stating that his presence in the UK was not considered conducive to the public good. The decision came as Malm was preparing to speak at the launch of the Historical Materialism Conference, organised by Tribune magazine, next Wednesday. The event will proceed with Malm appearing via video link.
Malm, best known for his book How To Blow Up A Pipeline, has long been a leading voice on climate change and a prominent Marxist thinker. He has been outspoken in his solidarity with Palestine and in condemning what he calls Israel’s genocide. His planned appearance was to be alongside Huda Ammori, a co‑founder of Palestine Action, a direct action group that the UK classified as a terrorist organisation last year.
In a statement, Malm said he was “deeply dismayed at this sudden ban on travelling to the UK, where he has visited for decades for research, lectures, and conferences.” He added that he has always considered the UK a centre of ideas where differing opinions can be aired freely.
Tribune magazine defended Malm, arguing that the government’s ban would not silence critical voices and that ideas would continue to circulate. Tariq Ali of Verso, which has published many of Malm’s books, condemned the silencing of critical voices and supported writers who speak out on important issues. Sally Rooney, also barred from selling her books in the UK because of her solidarity with Palestine, called the action an “outrageous attack on a respected climate expert.”