Reform vows to end 'militant university cancel culture' in first 100 days after Bangor ban outrage

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Feb 10, 2026 - 16:04

Reform vows to end 'militant university cancel culture' in first 100 days after Bangor ban outrage

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.

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.

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