Student society bans Reform UK for 'racism, transphobia and homophobia'

Bangor University has distanced itself from a decision by its student debating society to refuse a question-and-answer session with Reform UK.

The society said it had rejected a request by Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin and campaigner Jack Anderton to address students, citing "zero tolerance for any form of racism, transphobia or homophobia displayed by the members of Reform UK".

Reform UK head of policy, Zia Yusuf, threatened to pull £30m of funding from the university under a Reform government, adding: "After all, they wouldn't want a racist's money would they?"

Bangor University said societies were run by the Students' Union, and it welcomed debate "across the political spectrum".

The Students' Union at Bangor has been asked to comment.

The Bangor Debating & Political Society, based at the university in Gwynedd, north Wales, said Reform UK was not welcome following a request from Anderton and Pochin, MP for Runcorn and Helsby in Cheshire.

The society said it had rejected the request from Reform UK "in line with our values", adding: "We stand by this decision as a committee."

"Their approach to the lives of others is antithetical to the values of welcoming and fair debate that our society has upheld for 177 years," the society said.

"We are proud to be the first of the debating unions to take a stand against Reform UK.

"We strongly implore our fellow societies to join us in keeping hate out of our universities."

Posting on X, Yusuf said: "Bangor University have banned Reform and called us 'racist, transphobic and homophobic'".

"Bangor receives £30m in state funding a year, much of which comes from Reform-voting taxpayers," he said.

"I am sure they won't mind losing every penny of that state funding under a Reform government."

In response to the society's statement, Pochin said: "So much for free speech in our universities.

"How can Bangor University's debating society be afraid of debate?"

"Bangor University's Debating & Political Society isn't interested in debating," said her Reform UK colleague, Anderton.

He said he and Pochin had asked them to host an event as part of the A New Dawn Tour, adding: "They said we were not welcome."

"We're looking at other ways to bring this to Bangor students - with or without them."

Dan Thomas, Reform Wales leader, said: "It's a sad state of affairs when a university debating society wants to de-platform a leading political party.

"Universities should be a place of free discussion and engagement with different ideas, but too often groups within universities want to wrap themselves in cotton wool.

He added: "We will safeguard free speech on campus, and ensure basic liberties are protected."

A Bangor University spokesperson said the student-run debating society had issued the statement in a social media post, and it did not come from Bangor University.

"The views expressed by societies are their own and do not reflect university policy."

The spokesperson said the university "welcomes debate from across the political spectrum".

Founded in 1849, Bangor Debating & Political Society is the oldest student society in Wales, it claims.

A statement on its website says: "The Debating & Political Society continues to balance three aims: providing a welcoming space to learn public speaking and critical thinking, supporting competitive teams on the national and international stage, and running public debates that engage both the university and the wider community.

"As public discourse evolves, the society's commitment to reasoned, inclusive debate remains as vital as ever."