Reform UK has vowed to end “militant cancel culture” at universities within 100 days of winning the Welsh Parliament Election following Bangor’s decision to ban Sarah Pochin.
Reform UK’s Welsh leader Dan Thomas confirmed the party will introduce legislation to the Senedd in order to create the strongest duty anywhere in the UK on higher education providers to protect free speech on campus.
The legislation is expected to go further than the partially introduced Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, which does not apply to Wales due to devolution.
Mr Thomas said: “Our universities should be places of free and open discussion across the political spectrum.
“Sadly, too often we see free speech stifled in our academic institutions, and it’s time to change that.
“Under my leadership, Reform UK will introduce legislation within the first 100 days of forming a government in Wales to put an end to the militant cancel culture and no-platforming in universities.
“These will be the strongest higher education free speech protections in the United Kingdom. That’s real change for Wales.”
GB News understands Reform UK’s legislation will be enforced by a “statutory tort”, allowing civil claims for any breach of the duty.
Dan Thomas confirmed the policy change after being unveiled as Reform UK’s leader in Wales
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Reform UK is also doubling down on Zia Yusuf’s comments last night, now pledging to strip public funding from institutions that fail to protect free speech.
However, Reform UK’s push to go further than current legislative measures also includes extending beyond Medr’s powers under the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022.
The announcement came just hours after Bangor University’s Debating & Political Society refused a request for Mrs Pochin to participate in an event.
The society said the refusal stemmed from alleged “racism, transphobia, or homophobia displayed by the members of Reform UK”.
Bangor University distanced itself from the announcement by the debate society
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PAA spokesman added: “The Debating & Political Society received a request from Jack Anderton and Sarah Pochin MP of Reform UK to attend Bangor University and give a Q&A to students. In line with our values, this request was refused.
“We stand by this decision as a committee. We have zero tolerance for any form of racism, transphobia, or homophobia displayed by the members of Reform UK.
“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.
“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.”
Reform MP Sarah Pochin was banned by the Bangor Uni debating society | PA
Mr Yusuf, who serves as Reform UK’s policy chief, responded by threatening to pull £30million of funding from the North Wales university under a Reform Government.
He said: “Bangor University has banned Reform and called us ‘racist, transphobic and homophobic’.
“Bangor receives £30million in state funding a year, much of which comes from Reform-voting taxpayers.
“I am sure they won’t mind losing every penny of that state funding under a Reform Government. After all, they wouldn’t want a racist’s money, would they?”
However, Bangor University stressed the views of societies affiliated to Wales’s second-oldest university campus.
Reform UK is hoping to become the largest party in the Senedd
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GETTYA spokesman said: “The views expressed by societies are their own and do not reflect University policy.
“Bangor University remains politically neutral and supports freedom of speech. Bangor University welcomes debate from across the political spectrum.”
Recent opinion polls suggest Reform UK could secure power after Welsh voters go to the polls on May 7.
A survey conducted by More in Common last month suggested Reform UK had opened up a five-point lead over Plaid Cymru.
However, a separate poll released by YouGov handed Plaid Cymru a 14 per cent advantage.
