Reform UK’s Richard Tice visited York. It didn’t go as planned for him 😅

On the evening of Saturday 1 February over 100 students, staff, and members of the local community mobilised in a peaceful protest as Reform UK Deputy Leader and MP Richard Tice visited York for an inaugural dinner with the recently formed University of York Reform society.

Reform UK in York: Tice marched them up to the top of the hill…

The demonstration, organised by various student groups along with trade unions and national anti-racism groups​, was called for following the decision of the Reform Society to invite Richard Tice, given his openly homophobic and transphobic views and recent racist comments against immigration.

Local residents also came out of their houses to join, demonstrating widespread concerns over the Reform Party’s presence in York

One of the organisers, York Action for Student-Staff Solidarity, made this statement:

We showed that the hatred and bigotry espoused by Reform UK and Richard Tice is opposed by the vast majority of our community. Just two months ago, over 900 people signed an open letter expressing concern over the formation of the Reform society. We will continue to demonstrate peacefully, insist on dignity and respect, and call out fascism when we see it. We will not let our city and community be threatened by the reprehensible behaviour of Reform members. There are many many more of us than them.

The demonstration commenced at 5:30pm outside the University of York’s Heslington Hall and made its way to the Deramore Arms where the dinner was being hosted. It was previously set to take place at another pub in the city centre, but their management cancelled last-minute as they didn’t want to host a controversial political gathering.

The demonstration lasted for over two hours, and, contrary to an unsubstantiated report by tabloid media, remained peaceful throughout, with the demonstrators staying on the other side of the road to allow patrons to come and go from the pub without intimidation.

Multiple stewards and legal observers were present to ensure the local community and the police had avenues to express any concerns. The demonstrators promptly packed up at 8pm.

And he marched them down again…

Whilst waiting for Richard Tice’s late arrival, Reform Society members mocked the demonstrators, including a speaker who called out his defense of Reform UK MP James McMurdock, who has a conviction for assaulting a woman.

A University of York student who attended the protest who wishes to remain anonymous said:

There is a complete lack of consequences for anti-social and racist behaviour in our student community. Racist graffiti was recently sprawled across campus, and now there is a society for a party that encourages hate. Richard Tice deliberately fuels racist conspiracies about the Muslim community.

He is a racist. I will not let this be normal.

Featured image and additional images via Sophie Myles