Now UKIP society gets green light thanks to U-turning union

The Trent UKIP society will be formed after the SU had a change of heart.

The Student Union was accused of being “afraid of the democratic process” after plans for a UKIP society were banned – but they have since changed their mind.

Despite the group being recommended for approval, the Societies Assembly has decided they will allow the controversial society to get started at Trent.

The student union have released a new statement this morning, which says: “We have been able to review the decision in accordance with its democratically approved procedures.

“The students have now been invited to register members in order to establish the group as an official students’ union society.”

UKIP student chairman Joe Jenkins spoke out against the union after what he saw as an attempt to stifle his party.

The 21-year-old Dundee grad said: “It’s all very reactionary politics. In light of the debate about freedom of speech in the press at the moment, student unions are being the most outdated.

“Once upon a time they used to be bastions of free speech. They don’t allow anyone with a single independent thought outside their narrow mindset.

“We should should be adventuring and experiencing ridiculous ideas.

“It’s not just a UKIP issue. We need to promote freedom of speech in all respects.”

And fresher Brett Rickles, Notts country chairman of UKIP’s youth arm, is concerned the Union only changed their mind to the media pressure weighing on them.

He said: “After increased media pressure, the union seems to have changed their tune and allowed for progress to be made, which is of course fantastic for us however it raises the question of why this wasn’t the case in the first place.

“It just looks like they’re allowing this because of the bad publicity as opposed to the principle.”

The SU did not give the reasons behind the decision to prevent the society from being formed or the reasons for now allowing it.