Cambridge University is among several top universities across the nation holding talks with Reform UK amid fears Nigel Farage’s party may lead a Donald Trump-style crackdown on elite institutions.
Leaked discussions from Cambridge chiefs revealed they had spoken with “key people” within Reform to learn about the “possible implications of a Reform government”.
In the communications from earlier this week, the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge, Professor Deborah Prentice, said colleagues from other Russell Group universities had been “meeting with key people from Reform” and that “we’ve had people” doing the same.
“A number of you … have wanted to be talking about the possible implications of a Reform government for the University of Cambridge, and that is something that the sector is now beginning to take up as an issue, she told fellow Cambridge bosses.
“Russell Group vice-chancellors have been meeting with key people from Reform, and we’ve had people, in addition, who have been part of conversations with key members, key people from Reform,” Professor Prentice said.
The VC revealed the British academic community had “made it very, very clear that any consultations (with Reform are happening now”.
As part of these preparations for a Government led by Mr Farage, Cambridge has suggested dedicating an away day in March to the issue.
Professor Prentice suggested they should determine: “What we know, the information that we’re getting about what Reform, the pillars of a Reform government, would mean for higher education.”
Cambridge University and other top colleges have been holding meetings with ‘key people’ from Reform UK
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It is unknown what “key figures” from Reform had met with Russel Group chiefs, representing the two dozen top education institutions.
However, Reform gained a direct link to Cambridge in October when James Orr, associate professor of philosophy of religion, was appointed a senior adviser to Mr Farage.
A Cambridge University spokesman told GB News: “It’s entirely usual for large organisations to be discussing current affairs.”
In the leaked discussions, Professor Prentice told fellow Cambridge heads it was “very clear” Mr Farage intended to model his approach to academia on the US President.
University bosses are planning for a potential future government led by Nigel Farage
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Mr Trump, vowing to get control of the leftward drift of America’s institutions, has withheld billions of dollars in federal funds from elite colleges over political rows on free speech, antisemitism and immigration.
In his “contract” with the electorate unveiled last year, Mr Farage pledged to similarly “cut funding to universities that undermine free speech”.
Speaking at Reform’s conference in September, the Clacton MP warned universities were causing “kids’ minds (to be) poisoned” with a “twisted interpretation of the history of these amazing islands”.
Ahead of the general election last year, Cambridge’s newly elected chancellor, Baron Smith of Finsbury, admitted he was concerned about the impact of a Reform government following Mr Trump’s example.
University bosses fear Nigel Farage may follow Donald Trump’s lead in confronting academic
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“I worry if Reform does get into a position of authority or power, we may see the same phenomenon happen here in the UK,” he said.
The peer claimed that “populism is always driven by a wish to kick the elite”.
A source close to Cambridge insisted any talks with Reform had been informal, according to The Sunday Times.