If you want to know what Reform would be like in power, look at how it threatened Bangor University

Strange isn’t it that Reform is always banging on about the ECHR and HRA while few of its senior mmebers seem to have read the articles or be familiar with what they say:

Article 10 Freedom of Expression

Restrictions to the right to freedom of expression

Although you have freedom of expression, you also have a duty to behave responsibly and to respect other people’s rights.

An authority may be allowed to restrict your freedom of expression if, for example, you express views that encourage racial or religious hatred.

Plain enough, isn't it?

I remember reading in their manifesto, later modified, I believe, that they would tell universities what they may, or may not teach. Refusal to adhere to their guidelines would result in withdrawal of funding.
I found the idea of Lee Anderson instructing the staff at Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and LSE, in curriculum matters rather amusing.

Isn't that what Trump does?
Destroy institutions who disagree with him.
Is that what voters want here?
Trump style dictatorship?

I bet quite a few Jewish students at our Universities had hoped Article 10 would be enforced....

Restictions to the right to freedom of expression..

I read in a yougov poll that large numbers of Reform voters have lower education attainments and tend to be mostly manual workers.

Maybe they are hard working and struggling to make ends meet and have little time to read or think about politics and just believe what Farage says. Want to believe what he says.

Having said that I do know people who have high levels of education and will vote for Reform.

Yes some universities didn't want feminists who wanted single spaces to be allowed to debate on their campus. My son is currently at university thankfully he is at one that permits all sorts of discussion and debate.

People will vote Reform to get rid of Labour.

Will they regret it?

Probably, but then they will swing to whatever is offered next.

We live in an Age of distrust in Politics.

Perhaps Amazon or AI will take over the world?

Well if I remember my Alma Mater well enough, Reform might be a bit out of their depth with Cymdeithas yr Iaith. (Welsh Language Society).
With Cymdeithas and the Maoists protesting, it was very lively in 1968!

GB news has banned Ben Habib from Advance Uk from speaking on its channel. Quite ironic considering the influence Reform has on GB news.

Farage/Trump, cut from the same cloth unfortunately.

Debating means listening and commenting on different points of view. So Bangor just wants to debate to people who agree with them?

Bangor didn't 'ban" Reform. Neither has Bangor debating society ever said it only wants to invite speakers to their debates ( the clue is in the name) who "agree with them". The university debating society merely politely declined Reform's approach to request that Sarah Pochin and Jack Anderton (Reform's replica of Charlie Kirk) come to speak. The debating society members weren't sufficiently interested in those 2 speakers, politely declined and gave its reason- "zero tolerance for racism, transphobia or homophobia".

Currently in the UK it is entirely acceptable and common for an organisation in the UK to state it has zero tolerance of racism, transphobia and homophobia. Such a statement aligns with legal requirements to provide an inclusive environment and prevent discrimination- Equality Act 2010. Most organisations, e.g. NHS, schools, universities etc have policies in place clearly defining what constitutes unacceptable behaviour, including "offensive language, verbal abuse, unwanted or abusive remarks and stereotypical comments" of which both Sarah Pochin and James Pochin have a track record.

It was open to Reform to provide assurance that neither SP or JA would in fact be racist, transphobic or homophobic- but then pigs might fly I guess as Reform/Farage are openly dismissive about such matters under the excuse banner of "free speech". Instead Reform's head of policy took to X to threaten loss of funding to universities if elected if universities don't agree/accommodate/comply with Reform's request.

Reform however not accept that universities also are entitled to "freedom of speech" and would strip funding of organisations deemed to be none compliant with Reform's requests and expectations.

Yes again that is how many feminists were described, many of them lesbians of course. The word transphobia has no impact on me or many people these days. In fact I have seen Wes Streeting in particular being described as transphobic because of his statements.
Bless them though for thinking those 'slurs' work anymore.

Chocolatelovinggran

I remember reading in their manifesto, later modified, I believe, that they would tell universities what they may, or may not teach. Refusal to adhere to their guidelines would result in withdrawal of funding.
I found the idea of Lee Anderson instructing the staff at Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and LSE, in curriculum matters rather amusing.

Well, he could teach Home Economics somewhere, perhaps?

Home economics? Only if they have a pro chef on hand and a supply of tiny paper cups. If you know the story of where the 30p claim came from, that will make sense.

LemonJam, I wouldn’t be too concerned about what Yusuf threatens on social media. Farage is building up quite a record for using him as media fodder and then does the opposite to make his underling look foolish. Look at what Yusuf posted about Braverman’s and Jenrick’s incompetence … and then Farage welcomed them both into the party. Look at all his posturing over DO(L)GE and what has happened? Record council tax rises from Reform lead councillors. It’s all noise to keep Reform in the headlines.

If you know the story of where the 30p claim came from, that will make sense.

Oh, was it not 30p Lee?
My mistake!

Allira

^If you know the story of where the 30p claim came from, that will make sense.^

Oh, was it not 30p Lee?
My mistake!

Yes, I was right, it was Lee Anderson in a speech in the House of Commons after he'd visited a food bank in his constituency.
I didn't think I'd misremembered.

🤔

LemonJam

Bangor didn't 'ban" Reform. Neither has Bangor debating society ever said it only wants to invite speakers to their debates ( the clue is in the name) who "agree with them". The university debating society merely politely declined Reform's approach to request that Sarah Pochin and Jack Anderton (Reform's replica of Charlie Kirk) come to speak. The debating society members weren't sufficiently interested in those 2 speakers, politely declined and gave its reason- "zero tolerance for racism, transphobia or homophobia".

Currently in the UK it is entirely acceptable and common for an organisation in the UK to state it has zero tolerance of racism, transphobia and homophobia. Such a statement aligns with legal requirements to provide an inclusive environment and prevent discrimination- Equality Act 2010. Most organisations, e.g. NHS, schools, universities etc have policies in place clearly defining what constitutes unacceptable behaviour, including "offensive language, verbal abuse, unwanted or abusive remarks and stereotypical comments" of which both Sarah Pochin and James Pochin have a track record.

It was open to Reform to provide assurance that neither SP or JA would in fact be racist, transphobic or homophobic- but then pigs might fly I guess as Reform/Farage are openly dismissive about such matters under the excuse banner of "free speech". Instead Reform's head of policy took to X to threaten loss of funding to universities if elected if universities don't agree/accommodate/comply with Reform's request.

Reform however not accept that universities also are entitled to "freedom of speech" and would strip funding of organisations deemed to be none compliant with Reform's requests and expectations.

Thank you for such a well explained answer 👍

Primrose53

Debating means listening and commenting on different points of view. So Bangor just wants to debate to people who agree with them?

Unfortunately it isn’t just Bangor but most universities debating societies seem to consist of snowflakes and activists for something or other, pretty strident ones as well.
If you’re Reform/Conservative/ Jewish/an advocate for women’s spaces they don’t want to know.

The alternative is not to give student bodies the right to determine what they as students wish to discuss in their debates. They are autonomous at present.

Students can of course vote with their feet… debating societies are not obligatory…. It could be a bit like the House of Commons? Talking to one or two?

Yes but it means their frame of reference is very narrow. If 'you' are unable to debate reform I assume you haven't coherent arguments against their policies etc..

What I was asking ronib was whether they should be dictated to as to what they discuss, given they set up and run it themselves?