At last year’s freshers’ fair, Newcastle University’s Conservative society attracted only six new students — a stark sign of dwindling interest among young Conservatives. This autumn, however, dozens turned up, not because of a revival in Tory enthusiasm, but thanks to a merger with the university’s Reform UK student group.

The decision to unite, despite opposition from Conservative Party headquarters, reflects a wider trend across UK campuses as Reform UK gains momentum with young right-leaning students disillusioned by the Conservative Party.

“Interest increased tenfold. We Conservatives were just becoming a bit irrelevant,” said Henry Bateson, a former Conservative who switched to Reform and now heads the merged society. “If we chose one party, we’d lose half our numbers and struggle to survive. I’ve jumped on the Reform bandwagon.”

The move drew a reprimand from Tory officials, but the merged group is pushing ahead, continuing to host Conservative MPs alongside Reform speakers at campus “pint and policy” events. Bateson believes the shift is part of a broader generational realignment. “It’s only a matter of time before Conservative societies go extinct,” he warned. “Young Tories are fed up.”

🇬🇧 Polling Reflects Youth Shift

Recent YouGov figures show Reform UK now polls at 10% among 18- to 24-year-olds, ahead of the Conservatives at 7%, though both trail far behind Labour and the Greens. Many young right-leaning students say the Conservatives have not connected with their priorities or identity.

At the University of York, the Conservative society lost around half its members when some defected to form a Reform group, in what former secretary Jacob Boneham described as a “nasty split.”

“I know working-class students who backed Boris Johnson — now they’ve gone to Reform,” he said.

🎓 New Reform Societies Spread Across Campuses

Durham University was first to formally approve a Reform society, led by former Tory student Xavier Hale. Since its launch, Hale has helped students establish new chapters at universities including Exeter, Kent, and Oxford.

“There was a taboo last year,” he said. “This year it’s gone.”

Lancaster University has seen similar trends. Jack Eccles, who founded the campus Reform group, says many young conservatives turned instantly when Nigel Farage returned as leader. “He resonates with working-class people. It’s a ticking timebomb for the Conservatives.”

Lancaster’s Conservative society chair, Connor Winter, acknowledges the challenge: “Last year we took a hit. Plenty of Conservative societies have.”

⚖️ Campus Pushback

Reform’s expansion has triggered resistance. At Lancaster, over 750 students signed a petition to block affiliation of the Reform society. At Edinburgh, Labour and Green student groups have agreed to exclude Reform from shared events.

Yet Reform’s student leaders see campus networks as vital training grounds. With the party fast-tracking young members — including an 18-year-old county council leader — they believe this moment marks the start of a long-term movement.

“We need strong university networks,” Eccles said. “This is about preparing future councillors and MPs. It could be a movement that lasts a century.”