More than a third of students believe Reform UK politicians should be barred from speaking on university campuses, according to a survey by the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi). The poll of student attitudes towards free speech found what organisers described as 'contradictory' views, with 69% of respondents agreeing that universities should 'never limit free speech', yet similar numbers supporting bans on specific political parties.
The survey revealed that 35% of students would bar Reform UK speakers, including 41% of those who voted for the party in the 2024 general election. Meanwhile, 16% of all students wanted Labour banned, including 23% of Labour voters. Only 18% of students supported allowing all political parties to speak on campus.
Nick Hillman, Hepi's director, said he was 'shocked' by the opposition to Reform UK speakers but noted that the results also showed support for the government's efforts to promote free speech. 'The best way to take down democratic political parties that you disagree with is surely through free, fair and fierce debate – whether that is on campus or beyond,' he said.
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice called the findings 'appalling' and demanded funding cuts to punish universities. Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, said: 'The UK is a democracy and Universities UK does not share the view that any legitimate political party should be barred from speaking on university campuses.'
The survey also found that 71% of students supported laws requiring universities to promote free speech, while 64% agreed that 'protection from discrimination and ensuring the dignity of minorities could be more important than unlimited freedom of expression'. Additionally, 38% said academics who used 'offensive material' in teaching should be fired.
