The president of Universities UK has defended his decision to speak on a panel at Reform UK’s annual conference after the move was branded “dangerous” by the sector’s biggest union.

Malcolm Press spoke at a fringe session at the event in Birmingham, discussing the educational disadvantages experienced by white working-class boys, appearing alongside the party’s education spokesperson, Suella Braverman.

The University and College Union said that while sector leaders should engage with politicians, participating in Reform’s conference “risks conferring legitimacy on the party’s politics, which are fundamentally at odds with the values of an inclusive and democratic education system”.

“It is dangerous for a senior university boss to boost Reform UK like this when their politics are built around division, scapegoating and attacks on marginalised communities,” said Jo Grady, the union’s general secretary.

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“Reform are determined to undermine progressive and inclusive education. They have pledged to cut university places if elected. This threatens the very communities that universities should be working to support.”

Responding to criticism of his involvement on , Press said that engagement “should not be confused with endorsement”.

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“Universities have a responsibility to contribute evidence, challenge ideas, and make the case for the value of education, research and innovation to individuals, communities and the wider economy. We also have an important role in fostering freedom of speech and academic freedom,” said the vice-chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University.

“In practice, this means being willing to listen, question, debate and disagree, rather than simply engaging with those whose views we may already share.

“We will not always agree on every issue. But I believe progress is more likely to come through evidence, dialogue and respectful disagreement than through refusing to engage.”

Press described the fringe session as having been organised and supported by Andrew Calthorpe, who, with his wife Savitha, funds a number of scholarships for white working-class boys to study at Manchester Met. Calthorpe is also a major donor to Reform UK.

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Higher education leaders have sought to woo Reform politicians as the party develops its policy platform for the next general election, even though many academics and politicians disapprove of the party’s populist politics and right-wing views.

In her speech on the main conference stage at this weekend’s event, Braverman pledged to end funding for “woke” and poor-quality degrees, and for universities that fail to support freedom of speech. She said the party would cut student loan expenditure by 20 per cent – £4 billion annually.

Vivienne Stern, UUK’s chief executive, said that the representative organisation “engages with all legitimate political parties”.

“Malcolm Press’ presence at the conference was about making the case for higher education and the role that universities play in expanding opportunity, not about endorsing any party's platform,” Stern told ߣߣ��Ƶ.

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chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com