I don’t like to blog twice in month partly because I think people will get bored with me but also because I don’t have the time!

February was such a huge month with important events so I thought I’d update you with what I’d been contributing.

National Council

Always my most favorite event (not), not least because its often a complete farce but because its positioned in a way that the NEC feel they need to perform like seals.

There are a few things I’d like to clear up though. You may find it strange that although I’m opposed to ID cards (check out my links) and also that I submitted the opposing of them text to National Conference last year (although it wasn’t debated) I at this meeting voted to remove them from a motion. But before you cry ‘this is typical independent politics’ I can justify my reasons. Firstly my time on the NEC has been extremely useful to me, opportunities to speak to officers, justify the politics of the National Union and involve them in our campaigns. But what I tend to hear form officers and students are that they don’t always understand why NUS has policy against things and hence why they don’t get involved. Well its time for a change. The motion proposed was an excellent one, good lines around the Matthew Boulton 2 and racism in general but then, confusingly text on ID cards was placed that had nothing to do with the motion. No real arguments given, no explanation. So I voted to remove them being consistently frustrated that we arbitrarily have policy against proper issues without any real debate.

This, our most sacred of democratic events needs a complete overhaul, the focus moved away from the NEC and onto the membership. Arguments and debates had, not pushed through the back door. I hope by the end of the year National councilors will be able to input into the direction of this event through a submissions process.

I was then off to the FE lobby of Parliament, once again Ellie backed up her national reputation as NUS secret weapon and delivered a killer speech which even got Bill Rammell running! (He left the room shortly after Ellie had spoken).

Again, this day was a triumph and I hope really engaged those FE students into becoming politically active.

This month I also attended SWD conference, WMANUS day of Action and Regional Conferences.

Stephen x

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