Reform UK should be banned from speaking at universities, more than a third of students say
More than a third of undergraduates in Britain believe Reform UK should not be allowed to speak at university events, a new survey reveals.
Despite this, findings from the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) show that two in three students (69 per cent) agree that universities should never restrict freedom of expression; This is a slight increase from previous years.
The survey of 1,012 students also found that a significant majority, 90 percent, felt they could personally express their views without any hindrance.
Meanwhile, almost half (47 percent) of those surveyed agree that universities are becoming less tolerant of different points of view.
That figure has nearly doubled since 2016, when 24 percent agreed.
The findings come after new legislation came into force last year that obliges universities and colleges to protect academic freedom and ensure open discussion without censorship on campuses.
Higher education regulator, the Office for Students, can investigate universities and colleges and impose fines if they are found to have failed to protect freedom of expression.
The survey, conducted by Savanta in November 2025, found that 71 percent of students support legislation requiring universities to promote freedom of expression.
One in six students surveyed in 2025 (16 per cent) said Labor should be banned from speaking at university events, while 12 per cent said the Conservatives should be banned.
Additionally, 7 percent said it should be the Greens and 6 percent said it should be the Liberal Democrats.
In previous years, nearly one in four students said the English Defense League and Ukip should be banned from speaking at university events.
In 2016, 31 percent of respondents said the British National Party (BNP) should be banned from speaking at university events.
HEPI director Nick Hillman said: “I am shocked that more than one in three students support banning Reform UK from university campuses.
“The best way to bring down democratic political parties with which you disagree is absolutely through free, fair, and vigorous debate, whether on or off campus.”
The majority of students (83 percent) said they had at least satisfactory protection at their university to prevent them from experiencing discrimination or emotional harm.
Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) agree or strongly agree that protection against discrimination and safeguarding the dignity of minorities may be more important than unrestricted freedom of expression.
Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, said: “These findings are appalling. British universities have long since ceased to be centers of genuine learning, rigorous debate and intellectual challenge, choosing instead to become echo chambers of far-left indoctrination led by activist academics.”
“University leaders have a responsibility to allow this culture to grow in our institutions. Unless this situation is urgently changed, the Government should withdraw grant funding.”
