The University of York is now the third university with a registered Reform Party Society. This follows the creation of the Durham University Reform Society and Exeter Reform Society earlier this year.
On 3 December 2024 the University of York Reform Society Instagram appeared, announcing their first event, which is set to take place this Friday.
The group posted a story on Instagram, with the caption ‘welcome to the new Reform Society, our ratification process will be completed soon. Please do come and join in.’
The York SU told Nouse that the Reform UK society has been approved by the societies committee, at a meeting held on Friday 29 November 2024. The group is currently going through the process with the SU of submitting their documents to be ratified as an official society.
The Executive of the newly formed society told Nouse:
“The Reform Society seeks to attract students with similar political views and encourage discourse on campus, by adding to the already wide range of political societies. We shall do this by hosting a balance of fun and social as well as intellectually stimulating events. Our door is fully open to any who wish to engage in a new society that promotes and shares their values and have found the other political society’s lacklustre in fulfilling this need. We look forward to meeting you!”
The emergence of the group, and others across the UK, is contingent with national trends; a YouGov poll found that more voters aged 18-30 voted for Reform UK in the recent general election than the Conservative Party.
York SU Activities Officer, Kaitlyn Beattie-Zarb, shared the following statement with Nouse:
“We are happy to welcome Reform Society into our growing community of political societies on campus. As a nationally recognised political party, with growing membership in parliament, it makes sense that students’ are looking to form their own cohort here in York.
As per our standard processes, we reviewed the students’ application during a recent Society Committee meeting, giving due consideration to various contexts behind the Reform party, and how the group might fit within our campus political atmosphere. We also took into great consideration the group’s own awareness of potentially negative reactions from students, and their assurance that they shall seek to act in the “most responsible and caring way possible.” Reassured that this group would only add to the political diversity of our campus, the committee voted for Reform society to be ratified, and we look forward to supporting them as they begin activity on campus.
We hope that students continue to treat all political views with openness, as well as balance an utmost respect for the dignity, inclusivity and diversity of all people. To get involved in any of our political societies, check out the full list on our website https://yorksu.org/societies."
