Kent Union has banned students from dressing up as Tories for Halloween

Kent Union have told their students not to dress up as a particular race, culture or stereotype for Halloween, which surprisingly includes dressing up as Tories.

The rules stated: "Fancy Dress themes should not be centred around political group stereotypes or the stereotypes of different levels of perceived class in the means to diminish their worth or validity."

The list of costumes banned include the following themes:

The Crusades, Nazi uniforms, priests, nuns, cowboys, Native Americans, ISIS bombers, Israeli soldiers, Tory boys, Chavs, Prophet Mohammed, Jimmy Savile, Harvey Weinstein or dressing up as a gender or sexuality they don't identify with "if the purpose is to belittle."

The Union has helpfully suggested what costumes the students can wear.

Students are encouraged to dress as aliens, cavemen, Ancient Greeks, Romans, doctors and nurses.

Kent Union said: "We empower students to be creative, whilst also ensuring all students feel welcome and safe.

"Students groups are free to engage in fancy dress whilst ensuring they abide by the Fancy Dress Guidelines which include being offensive, discriminatory and prejudice to an individual’s race, gender, disability or sexual orientation or based on stereotypes.

"Dressing up as a particular race, culture or stereotype is offensive and Kent Union will not tolerate behaviours which seek to."

A spokesperson for Kent Union said these rules were initially posted on the website.

After media coverage of the ban, the Communications Department at Kent Union will meet today.

The Tab has contacted Kent Union for a comment and are awaiting their response later today. Update to follow.