October 27, 2025 - 3:15pm
Political societies at the University of Edinburgh have pledged to boycott a newly-formed campus group supporting Reform UK. Late last month, the university’s clubs for Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens, as well as the pro-independence society, published a joint statement vowing that the Edinburgh Reform Society “will not be invited to any cross-party events we organise”. The Instagram post added that “politics should never make anyone feel targeted or unwelcome. That is the politics of Reform, and it is for that reason we stand united against them.”
The Edinburgh Reform Society was formed in July of this year and is open not only to University of Edinburgh students but also to attendees of Edinburgh Napier, Heriot-Watt and Queen Margaret universities. It has not yet applied for recognition as a university society, according to the Edinburgh University Students’ Association. The group’s first post states that “we don’t care about your race, ethnicity or orientation. We care whether you share the values of this country.” It continues: “We celebrate everything our ancestors fought for and we fight for Britain’s future.” For its inaugural event earlier this month, the society hosted Reform UK’s only MSP, Graham Simpson, who defected from the Scottish Conservatives in August.
Responding to the boycott, Reform’s Deputy Leader Richard Tice told campus newspaper The Student earlier this month that he was “appalled to hear that free speech is not allowed at the wonderful University of Edinburgh and that the leading political party is banned from activities and deplatformed”. He added: “Democracy is all about debate and respectful disagreement… followed by a pint or two!”
The joint statement from the student societies argues that Nigel Farage’s party “thrives on […] divisiveness” and “peddles misinformation designed to stoke fear and hatred against the most vulnerable in our society”. It alleges that the new club will spread “toxic far-right ideas” and “will only increase the levels of discrimination and violence that our members already experience every day”.
An Edinburgh Labour Students representative denied that the decision was an attack on free speech, telling The Student that the move “is not about silencing [Reform supporters], but about upholding our own values and ensuring that [Edinburgh Labour Students] remains a safe and inclusive space”. For Rory Young, President of the Edinburgh Uni Yes Society, “the Reform society has no place on a modern, progressive university campus.”
Reform societies have been formed at several other Russell Group universities besides Edinburgh, including York, Durham and Exeter. A survey published this week by JL Partners found that Reform UK is the most popular party among men aged 16-25. While 31% of respondents would back Nigel Farage’s party in a general election, only 24% would support Labour. Reform is the third-most popular party among Generation-Z women, with 18% support.
Edinburgh Reform Society has been contacted for comment. Edinburgh Labour Students declined to comment.
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