The formal recognition of the ‘Sussex University Students for Reform’ Society by the University of Sussex Students’ Union on 15 January triggered immediate backlash, culminating in two student-led protests on campus yesterday.
The first demonstration began at 11:30 am in Library Square, where a group of students gathered explicitly to oppose the formation of the Reform Society. The event had been advertised on social media under the tagline “students say no to Reform society”, a message reflected by the views expressed by those in attendance.
Speaking to The Badger, one student protester said their opposition stemmed from what they alleged was Nigel Farage’s “track record of racism” and what they described as the party’s “scapegoating of immigrants”. Immigration emerged as a central theme of the protest, with demonstrators at the front of the march holding a sign reading: “The enemy doesn’t arrive by boat, he arrives by limousine”.
The protest was not met with a significant counter-demonstration. However, the presence of GB News prompted organisers to urge protesters to cover their faces and avoid interviews. Demonstrators repeatedly blocked cameras, including by holding a flag directly in front of a lens as the cameraman moved through the crowd.
Witnesses reported a brief physical confrontation as the cameraman attempted to move past the protester holding the flag. The GB News crew appeared, from observation, to focus their filming on the obstruction of their camera.
Photos: Fiona Muncaster
After the group moved from Library Square towards the Sports Centre, organisers again directed protesters away from the cameras whenGB News attempted to film, reportedly for a live broadcast. A similar incident occurred earlier in the demonstration, when a member of the crew set up a tripod, only for protestors positioned in front of it to stand up and leave en masse.
A second protest took place an hour later, at 12:30 pm, outside Falmer House. Framed as a ‘walkout’ protest, it involved members and leaders of various societies leaving the Refreshers Fair in protest under the banner “Sussex Students Against Discrimination”.
While smaller in number than the earlier domination, organisers said the protest aimed to push for policy change within the Students’ Union. Flyers distributed at the event called on USSU to review its policies on society affiliation and campus access, particularly in relation to groups the protesters described as discriminatory. As a registered charity, the Students’ Union is required to comply with Charity Commission guidance on political activity, as well as statutory freedom‑of‑speech duties under the Education Act 1994 and the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.
Although not framed as a direct protest against the Reform Society, students in attendance expressed strong opposition to groups that protestors said, they believe, promote discriminatory views. One student told The Badger that Reform UK’s views “shouldn’t be welcome” on campus.
Unlike the earlier protest, the demonstration outside Falmer House did not attract media presence from GB News. The protest instead featured live music, speeches, and chants opposing discrimination and what organisers described as groups that protestors believe promote discriminatory views.
Asked about claims that opposition to the Reform Society risked creating a “left-wing echo chamber” on campus, one student said: “Any echo chamber isn’t what anyone should be going for.” They added that their group’s long-term aim was for the Students’ Union to remove all politically aligned societies, arguing this would create a more “level playing field” and encourage recognition of “flaws on both sides of the political spectrum”.
Debate around political echo chambers has featured prominently in discussions surrounding the recognition of the Reform Society. As tensions continue, questions remain over whether, what some describe, as widespread opposition constitutes an echo chamber or whether it reflects a shared student consensus.
Another article you may enjoy: https://thebadgeronline.com/2026/01/reform-society-launch-triggers-campus-backlash/
