Reform threaten to defund university over debate club snub

Once again, Reform have publicly shit the bed, and this time it’s over Bangor University. Well, more specifically, the Bangor Debating and Political society, but that didn’t stop Reform’s head of policy Zia Yusuf threatening the whole fucking uni:

Bangor University have banned Reform and called us “racist, transphobic and homophobic”.

Bangor receives £30 million in state funding a year, much of which comes from Reform-voting taxpayers.

I am sure they won’t mind losing every penny of that state funding under a Reform… pic.twitter.com/piUPlBzEcY

— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) February 9, 2026

Very normal behaviour there, Yusuf.

Well done Bangor, you’ve pissed off Reform

Personally, I would like to say well done to the debate society. But members of Reform massively shit the bed over it, including wannabe councillor Nick Pritchard:

The only issue I have with Pritchard kicking off is why in the name of hell does anyone care about the opinion of a man who “fabricated allegations” about a local resident trying to procure someone to shoot him?

Pritchard, mate, you’re in no position to debate anyone.

And of course Richard Tice spat his dummy out about it:

Simple

In line with our values, if Bangor Uni does not believe in free speech, then British taxpayers should not have to fund them.

Perhaps remove all government funding and no student loans for Bangor students

The phone will ring very soon https://t.co/3ZmtmbXea8

— Richard Tice MP 🇬🇧 (@TiceRichard) February 10, 2026

This is the same Tice who recently claimed we should ban children with sensory issues from wearing ear defenders in school.

Not a man who should be commenting on anything educational, it seems.

’30p Lee’ Anderson, meanwhile, made it clear that Reform are making threats:

This gives me a great idea on how to save the taxpayer £30 million.

We're coming for you. https://t.co/QRu61qJCG0

— Lee Anderson MP (@LeeAndersonMP_) February 10, 2026

I mean, all the evidence is there

Credit where credit is due, Labour MP for Bangor Claire Hughes called out Reform for being pathetic.

Reform offer nothing but division.

Fancy accusing Bangor University of “banning” Reform and issuing threats. All because a debating society turned them down…?

Pathetic. We will fight them all the way. https://t.co/XLXKl0yTQI

— Claire Hughes (@clairehughesBA) February 9, 2026

Threatening to remove funding to a university purely because one of their societies called you racist is absolutely wild. Especially when Reform absolutely seem to be racist: e.g. when Reform MP Sarah Pochin complained there were too many Black and Asian people in adverts.

I think this is a case of ‘there’s no smoke without fire’. And the embedded racism in Reform is an inferno.

All of this screaming about free speech, but Reform have to learn that freedom of speech doesn’t mean freedom from consequence.

Featured image via Bangor University PigeonCowSheepGoatBaaa (Wikimedia)