Bangor and the Ban on Reform

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Reform UK are always making headlines; however, earlier this month, it was over Sarah Pochin MP and campaigner Jack Anderton being denied the opportunity to speak at the University of Bangor’s Debating and Political Society. (Ferguson and Williams 2026) Quick to respond, Zia Yusuf - the party’s head of policy - suggested that under a Reform government, the university could see a cut of “£30 million”. (Ferguson and Williams 2026) With UK Universities being in perpetual peril, is it right for politicians to threaten to cut them further simply for not platforming them?

The Office for Students announced in November 2025 that, in the 2025/2026 academic year, approximately half of UK universities will face a deficit. (Office for Students 2025) This is an increase of around 10% from 4 in 10 earlier that year. (Jeffreys and Shearing 2025) Clearly, they are struggling. For too long, the student loan system has been criticised as inadequate, with too little being paid per student compared. Plus, the recent headlines surrounding ‘student loan scandals’ make it unlikely that universities and their funding issues will disappear from discussion anytime soon. 


So, why does what Reform UK are saying matter? 


A party that has championed free speech, it is no surprise that Reform wants to challenge this non-platforming. However, there has been much criticism of the party’s choice of language surrounding issues like immigration and minority communities. Sarah Pochin MP has, herself, faced accusations of racism over comments she made on British advertisements. (Francis 2025) While she did apologise, it hasn’t helped that the party has since received endorsements for the Gorton and Denton by-election from the likes of Tommy Robinson (real name, Stephen Yaxley Lennon), a far-right activist and co-founder of the English Defence League. (The Independent 2026) The party itself has refused to distance itself from this endorsement. (Herbert 2026) Extremist rhetoric, as such, has gripped the party’s image. 


Students at the university are less likely to vote for Reform, and it is unsurprising that the extremist association may put many off platforming them. A recent YouGov article in January 2026 highlighted that “someone’s level of education has become one of the strongest indicators of how people in Britain vote.” (Difford 2026) Data collected by YouGov suggested that Reform UK led the way, with people holding a GCSE or lower at 42% of the vote share, compared to 12% of these voters voting for Labour. Whereas, those with a degree or higher would most likely vote Labour or Green, with 25% and 21% respectively, compared to just 13% thinking of voting for Reform. (Difford 2026) Reform, as such, doesn’t represent what students at Bangor are likely to vote. One can, therefore, understand that with the extremist rhetoric promoted by some their supporters, cancellation, in some cases, makes sense. 


While some may argue that it is better to invite speakers and debate points, it is ultimately, up to the society and those part of it. For example, I myself am one of two Co-Chairs of a university politics society, and we decide who we wish to invite and platform. We, ourselves, have said no thank you, speakers we didn’t wish to platform. This should be acceptable. 


The response from Reform is interesting. Firstly, they are quite right - as I have said above - to wish to present a different view. However, it must be framed in a way that is not offensive and not illegal. Platforming a party which has been endorsed by someone previously been arrested under terrorism offences, would seemingly be unwise. (Quinn 2024) Secondly, threatening to defund the university poses a real issue. It suggests that those who do not comply with their messaging could be penalised. In an environment in which it is already difficult for universities to operate, this could have catastrophic impacts - for example, shutting courses, reducing staff, or spaces for students. 


Let me be clear, Reform and their supporters are very welcome to hold differing views to mine. But, the harmful rhetoric towards some British citizens and immigrants, as perpetuated by the likes of Robinson, should have no place in British politics. We are a polite, kind and most importantly, tolerant country. The last being one of the core British Values. (Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street, 2014) Threatening to defund a university because it does not wish to platform you suggests intolerance. While you could say it was intolerant not to accept the speakers, it would likely have been considered at length, with the impact on student wellbeing and the rhetoric and ideas potentially being shared. Again, the link to the likes of Robinson and the far right may put students off, so it feels fair to request that they do not attend. 


My main gripe with their response is how extreme it is. It is not the first time that students have no-platformed individuals for their views. This act, for anyone unaware, simply removes a speaker previously invited from an event. For example, an Oxford Professor was no-platformed for her connections with the group Woman’s Place UK, which ‘some have said promotes transphobic views’ in 2020. (Krasteva 2020) However, the movement itself has long-standing links with student bodies, being extremely prevalent in the 1980s. (Hatful of History 2019) Choosing who to platform should be a personal choice, and it was down to the students. Bangor University and it’s leadership do not directly manage student societies. However, Reform’s suggestion to cut funding may, in the future, lead to struggling universities fostering stronger ties between student clubs and senior leadership. Is that truly free speech?


To conclude, the debate is extremely complicated, and I by no means can suggest a perfect answer. However, it is clear that a decision made by students - those least likely to want to support Reform - appears quite hostile. It is a choice not to invite, it is a choice to no-platform, it is their choice. Reform cannot simply apply pressure to force a reversal; it is likely to be deeply unpopular, and if the event went ahead, it would likely be met with protest. (As was the case in the 1980s. (Hatful of History 2019)) Reform may be very popular in polls, but it cannot buy its way onto campuses. Britain remains a welcoming, tolerant country, and its universities should not be threatened with financial cuts if they do not platform individuals; it is not fair, and it is not right. 




References

Difford, Dylan. 2026. “How would Britain vote at the start of 2026?” YouGov. https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/53923-how-would-britain-vote-at-the-start-of-2026.

Ferguson, Angela, and Brendon Williams. 2026. “Student society bans Reform UK for 'racism, transphobia and homophobia.'” BBC News, 2 10, 2026. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0q3zg37d78o.

Francis, Sam. 2025. “Reform MP Sarah Pochin's comments about adverts were 'racist', Wes Streeting says.” BBC, October 26, 2025. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7rg7wjvgvo.

Hatful of History. 2019. “'No Platforming' at Bristol University in the 1980s and Now.” Hatful of History. https://hatfulofhistory.com/2019/04/13/no-platforming-at-bristol-university-in-the-1980s-and-now/.

Herbert, Charlie. 2026. “Reform MP refuses to reject Tommy Robinson's endorsement.” The London Economic, February 4, 2026. https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/reform-mp-refuses-to-reject-tommy-robinsons-endorsement-403007/.

The Independent. 2026. “Labour warns Reform candidate is 'extreme' as he's endorsed by Tommy Robinson.” The Independent, January 30, 2026. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-uk-matt-goodwin-tommy-robinson-b2910833.html.

Jeffreys, Branwen, and Hazel Shearing. 2025. “Four in 10 universities face financial challenges.” BBC, May 8, 2025. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8dgdlrdnrgo.

Krasteva, Gergana. 2020. “Oxford professor Selina Todd feminist talk cancelled.” Oxford Mail, March 1, 2020. https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18272672.oxford-professor-selina-todd-feminist-talk-cancelled/.

Office for Students. 2025. “Significant challenges continue to face higher education finances – with nearly half facing deficits in 2025-26.” Office for Students. https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/news-blog-and-events/press-and-media/significant-challenges-continue-to-face-higher-education-finances-with-nearly-half-facing-deficits-in-2025-26/.

Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street. 2014. “British values: article by David Cameron.” GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-values-article-by-david-cameron.

Quinn, Ben. 2024. “Tommy Robinson arrested in Kent under Terrorism Act.” The Guardian, July 28, 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jul/28/tommy-robinson-says-he-has-been-arrested-under-terrorism-act.

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