With just weeks to go before NUS Annual Conference, members of NUS’ Finance Committee are attempting to use the Committee’s right to submit motions to NUS conference to launch a serious attack on NUS democracy.

Some members are proposing to scrap proportionate delegate entitlements - instead allowing just one delegate per constituent member regardless of their size.

This proposal, which could be NUS policy later this month, would mean many student unions in effect having representation for thousands – and in many cases tens of thousands – slashed.

With others elsewhere arguing similarly for a ‘cap’ of just four delegates per constituent member, now is a crucial time to speak out and ensure delegates to NUS conference vote against this. Already a broad range of NUS NEC members are opposed.

Bypassing meetings

In what could be interpreted as bypassing proper scrutiny and discussion, the motion was circulated to Finance Committee members just the day after a lengthy committee meeting, lasting over four hours, where delegate entitlements was never discussed.

Although Finance Committee motions are meant to be related to NUS’ finance, those pushing for the change have admitted that they are motivated by other factors.

For example, Chair Graham Gaskell has explained to Finance Committee members that he hopes that scrapping delegate entitlements will influence the political make-up of the conference.

Not only will hundreds of thousands have their voice curtailed under this proposal, certain groups will be hit hardest.

NUS’ membership is incredibly diverse, as are individual students’ unions. Only by allowing unions to send delegations proportional to their numbers can we ensure that this diversity is reflected in our decision-making structures. NUS Conference is significantly more representative of Black, Muslim and Jewish students, disabled students, LGBT students and minority viewpoints than any other NUS body.

Some in Finance Committee might consider it acceptable to exclude such groups – but delegates should not stand for measures that weaken NUS’ ability to represent all of our members.

Such a move would not just be undemocratic but is also unnecessary.

In recent years, the decision to reduce delegation entitlements by a third attracted caused much division in NUS. Then proponents of the reductions to delegate sizes argued this was necessary in order to address an ongoing deficit of almost £500,000.

Since then, NUS’ financial situation has improved. At the recent Finance Committee meeting it was explained that although NUS is looking at a £350,000 deficit this year this is a one off due to £300,000 start up costs for NUS Extra and costs relating to the move and temporary renting of the current HQ.

Representing all sections of our membership is crucial to the ongoing strength of our national union. This motion would have a devastating impact on our ability to achieve this and should be opposed by all delegates to NUS conference 2006.

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