There was no rest for the wicked this month as we began with a bang at ‘On Course for a Fair Future’ lobby of parliament. I think it’s fair to say the day was a huge success, congrats to everyone involved for securing the speaking services of the 3 education spokespeople Bill Rammell, Ed Davey and the ever delightful (if not completely offensive) Boris ‘I only have one volume of voice and that’s very loud’ Johnson.

His speech was completely surreal, not satisfied with offending the student movement but also our special nations rights to devolved representation and Scottish people in general. Hopefully the students that arrived got a dark insight into how education would be handled under the Tories.

I really enjoyed the day. I tend to like lobbying MP’s, giving them a hard time and generally watching them squirm under the level of stats that you acquire over your time on the NEC. I reckon I was pretty successful ensuring that all my MP’s (in this address and previous ones) were lobbied and signed the EDM. I suppose I had a slight head start, in that my University MP had drafted the EDM on Foster so he already liked us. Nonetheless it as a well worthwhile day and students seemed to get really involved in the debate.

Unfortunately my day didn’t stop there. After the lobby it was a 9pm sleeper train to Aberdeen to fight their disaffiliation debate. I know I rant about it allot but it does seem somewhat disingenuous of members of the NEC to pay lip-service to how important it is to fight affiliations…yes fight them but only if they’re not too far away. At least I can say in my year that I fought them and won them from Aberdeen to Aberystwyth.

Anyway, after the 10 hour round trip a rather sleepy Gemma, Derfel, Dylan and I arrived on Aberdeen Campus, dropt off our bags and entered the ‘Yes to NUS’ HQ. Only problem was the referendum had been cancelled due to snow. Yes the moment we stepped on campus it had been cancelled. Maybe the No team was scared of us! Its was extremely disappointing for us but more so for Mel, Jimmy, Jenny and co at NUS Scotland and those at Aberdeen who worked so hard to mobalise the students into voting yes. Hopefully this work will continue to pay off the next time around.

The following week I was off to Welsh conference. To be honest I wasn’t really sure what to expect, the only real debate I know was happening was the attack on the Welsh women’s officer. I think NUS’ position was clear, not only do we recognize the importance, politically of a women’s officer in Wales but we also know the huge call for a sabbatical Black Students, LGBT and disabled students are valid. But lets be clear, is getting rid on the only full-time liberation officer the strategy to win that? I think not.

Luckily Bethan Thomas made an inspirational and well-prepared speech that swung the vote. It was almost unanimous. Well done Bethan and NUS Wales. I had so much fun at this conference (plus my team won the quiz, go team Essex!). We did feel slightly bad being a whole team of English students winning the quiz at a Welsh conference but hey ho, my rendition of the Wheels on the Bus theme to ‘I predict a riot’ by the Kaiser Chiefs won the judges over!

This week I’ve been continuing to write the Sabbatical work/life balance survey, which will now have the added bonus of hints and tips on switching off at the weekends! Watch this space.

Stephen x

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