Like last week, this week feels like a month has gone by. It’s been a week of real highs and lows.

In this Blog…

• Aldwych Group Handover
• London gets the Olympics!
• Extraordinary NEC meeting
• Terrorists strike London

Aldwych Group Handover – 4th/5th July

The week began with a trip up to Nottingham for the handover of the Aldwych Group. The Aldwych Group was originally set up to fight the Russell Group – 19 research-led research-focussed universities who decided to impose their view of how Higher Education should be established and funded from the comfort of their own backsides. The ever-present danger for Aldwych, is that they become like the Russell Group. Having been their Chair for the past year, I ensured that we worked with NUS and other unions, breaking down the tendencies of the past to try and pretend that a small group of unions could provide anything like the campaigns and services that NUS provides.

The Handover itself had its highs and lows. Highs were a great venue in the form of Nottingham union, a great new set of sabbatical officers, some interesting sessions and discussions and a good night out on the town in Nottingham that evening.

I did presentations on the Higher Education Act 2004, what it means for students and student unions, the Schwartz Report and Higher Education admissions and did a joint-session with Veronica on NUS, including a powerpoint presentation called Factions Uncovered! Too often factions seems a bit cloak and dagger, so I thought I’d through some transparency onto the subject!!

The low point was really the atmosphere of the event, which was not helped by some of the outgoing officers. This is something I think the new sabbs will challenge head-on and on Sunday we saw the election of Kat Stark from Warwick as the new Chair, who I’m sure will do a great job in taking the group forward. Congratulations to all those elected!

Come on!!! London 2012! – 6th July

Having spent the best part of my life growing up in the East End, I was really aware of what the Olympics could do for one of the most deprived areas in the country and for UK sport!

Heading down to London late in the afternoon for an NEC meeting, there was a real buzz around everywhere I went. Apparently Kat was bumped off Richard and Judy, where she was due to appear that afternoon, as they wanted to cover the Olympics… A small price to pay if you ask me!!

Extraordinary NEC Meeting That evening the NEC met for an Extraordinary meeting to discuss the some problems that had arisen surrounding the inquiry into anti-Semitism at NUS Conference and the circumstances that prompted the resignations of two NEC members and one steering committee member.

I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment here, except to say that I think this process is of enormous importance to NUS and must proceed transparently, efficiently and fairly. Let’s hope that this is the case from here on.

Terrorist Attacks in London – 7th July

The front pages of the Evening Standard on Wednesday and Thursday seemed almost like a tale of two cities: one so full of optimism and happiness having won the Olympics, the other filled with fear and horror at the appalling and barbaric attacks on innocent people.

I think my feelings about the attackers were best summed up by the Mayor of London, who made a powerful and emotional statement saying:

“This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful. It was not aimed at Presidents or Prime Ministers. It was aimed at ordinary, working-class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christian, Hindu and Jew, young and old. It was an indiscriminate attempt to slaughter, irrespective of any considerations for age, for class, for religion, or whatever. That isn't an ideology, it isn't even a perverted faith – it is just an indiscriminate attempt at mass murder…”

There can be no justification for indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians. None whatsoever. That people from some sections of the political spectrum have sought to qualify or equivocate in their condemnation is despicable.

My thanks to all the staff and NEC members who phoned around to ensure that people were safe and were able to find accommodation or travel safely. My thoughts and prayers are with those with lost or injured friends and loved ones.

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