After spending a lot of time thinking about the governance review and speculating as to the dangers that it might present to minority students, its subsequent publication and formation into the “white paper” has allowed the NEC to inspect the outcome in great detail.

As outlined in my last blog (which it would not be unfair to say ruffled a few feathers!) my most pressing concern was that without due care a change in structure could critically damage the capacity of NUS to accommodate minority students. However, after having had a chance to see the review and suggested alterations to go into the white paper, what has emerged from the governance steering committee is generally positive and heading in the right direction.

At the first meeting there were certainly some sticky issues. For example the “Cross Campus Ballot” as the means for CMs to send delegates to conference was under threat and loose wording in places, most notably around organisations in affiliation, was a cause for concern. But once these were ironed out (which I believe they have been) what remains is a proposed governance structure that has the potential to foster minority involvement and activism.

But while great progress has been made, I still wouldn’t say this review is perfect yet. And furthermore, when the meat is put on the bones, discrepancies may yet arise that persuade me to vote against certain parts of it.

What I will say however, is that in my last blog I warned the steering committee how easy it would be to overlook the needs of minority students when dreaming the bigger picture of fiscal and organisational reform. For those on it, being on that steering team has been a hard and thankless task: Let me say that not only have they done a good job, but the results they presented show they have gone about their task in a clear-headed, determined and assiduous way.

Accusations of rail-roading democracy by some are both unfair and unfounded. Between now and the next general meeting people should criticise this document, inspect it and suggest changes. But I would urge the student movement to engage positively with what is proving to be a real step forward for our National Union. So whether it turns out to be a perfect governance review or not; thank you steering committee for the effort, commitment and diligence.

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