"Left Wing" factions are calling for NUS' Governance Review to be scrapped. But what do they want? Well let me explain…

"Defence of a unified national conference, at least once a year, with generous delegation sizes roughly proportional to student numbers, as NUS’s supreme governing body"

This is not only proposed but enhanced in the proposals with the newly named "Congress" enhancing representation particularly for Part Time Students

2. "Maintenance of a single unified national executive committee, with a funded Block of 12 executive members or similar as a guarantee of pluralism and representation for the Liberation Campaigns, as the highest body of NUS between conferences"

The highest political/policy body between Congresses will be the "Senate" which will have a Block of 15 members (some from FE) as well as improving representation for Liberation Campaigns

3. "No external representatives on NUS governing bodies"

You will be able to appoint external; legal and financial experts at Congress to help handle legal issues and scrutinise finances and the management of NUS. They will be on a non political "board" that will be accountable to you through Congress

4. "Maintenance of the requirement that HE affiliates must run a democratic cross-campus ballot to elect delegates, rather than “trusting” unions to decide their own method of selection"

We will retain the Cross Campus Ballot as the default method, but given only 40 unions last year managed to hold a contested Cross Campus we will allow unions to apply for an exemption as long as they choose an alternative democratic method of selection. One size doesn't always fit all.

5. "Maintenance of annual elections for all NUS officers"

This is proposed and elections are strengthened in the proposals.

6. "A longer national conference to allow more extensive and more effective debates. Restoration of the cuts in delegate entitlement made in 2004, for a larger and more inclusive conference"

If we returned to the length and delegate entitlement of 2004, Conference would consist of about 1800 people, be even harder to get involved in, and cost about £500,000. This proposal shows how out of touch they are- we think unions want us to spend money on campaigning, not Conferences that could only be held in football stadiums.

7. "Expansion of the Block of 12 (eg to a Block of 15), with guaranteed FE representation"

This is in fact already proposed in the White paper- it's just that they won't be "Part Time Officers"- we will set people up to succeed, not fail

So either the “hard-left” haven’t read the proposals in any great detail or they’re treating the membership like idiots by using their customary outdated tactics – fabricated propaganda.

If you aren’t sure what to believe why not read the White paper on this website or alternatively give me a phone call.

Stephen x

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