Suella Braverman announced at the Reform UK conference in Birmingham that a future Reform government would mandate the Union flag and national anthem in all schools. The former Home Secretary also proposed slashing funding for specific university degrees to prioritize vocational training.
The Union flag and national anthem mandate for every school
Suella Braverman, acting as the education spokesman for Reform UK, declared that all schools would be required to fly the Union flag and lead students in singing the national anthem and "great hymns." Speaking at the party's conference in Birmingham, Braverman argued that these measures are essential to instill a sense of patriotism in the youth and to highlight the greatness of the United Kingdom.
The proposal to mandate the Union flag and national anthem is framed as a corrective measure against what Braverman describes as the "hijacking" of the British school curriculum. According to the report, Braverman believes that current educational standards have been compromised by activists, necessitating a return to traditional symbols of national identity to ensure students understand their country's value.
A 20 per cent funding cut for 'Mickey Mouse' degrees
Regarding higher education, Suella Braverman pledged to implement a significant financial crackdown on university courses she deems to be of low value. As reported by the source, Braverman intends to cut taxpayer funding for student loans and tuition fees for these "Mickey Mouse" degrees by 20 per cent within the first 100 days of a Reform UK government.
The 20 per cent reduction in funding would specifically target courses that Braverman claims offer "appalling value for money," poor teaching standards, and negligible job prospects. The report notes that Braverman explicitly mentioned gender studies as an example of a subject that students should pay for themselves rather than relying on pubilc subsidies. The funds recovered from these cuts would be redirected toward vocational education to better align schooling with employment needs.
The fight against 'white privilege' and gender identity in the curriculum
This educational pivot reflects a broader ideological battle over the content of British classrooms. Suella Braverman questioned why children are being taught about "white privilege," the history of racism in Britain, or the concept of being born in the "wrong body." By framing these topics as the work of activists, Braverman is positioning Reform UK as the primary defender of a traditionalist educational model.
Suella Braverman's defection from the Conservative Party to Reform UK in January underscores a shifting landscape within the British right. Her rhetoric at the Birmingham conference echoes a wider trend of "culture war" politics, where the classroom is viewed as a primary battleground for defining national identity and resisting progressive social theories.
Which specific courses will lose taxpayer funding?
One primary uncertainty remains regarding how a Reform UK government would objectively define a "Mickey Mouse" degree. While gender studies was singled out by Suella Braverman, the report does not proviide a comprehensive list of the "bottom set of courses" slated for funding cuts, leaving it unclear which other humanities or social science disciplines would be targeted.
Furthermore ,the report does not detail the legal mechanism by which a 20 per cent cut to existing student loan agreements would be executed without triggering contractual disputes. it remains to be seen whether these cuts would apply to current students or only to new enrollments following the next general election.
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