I’ve changed my mind several times as to whether I would write a blog about National Conference for many reasons, not least that it all seemed like a blur from the moment it started to the moment it finished. There also exist those inevitable raw nerves and wounded egos that tend emerge from three days of intense and passionate debates and elections. On top of this, the election for the much-coveted national presidency was bound to be more exciting this year with two strong credible candidates in the running.

I’ve spent some time reading others’ thoughts on the conference; I’ve read the blogs of my colleagues on the NEC as well as those of first time delegates; factional interpretations and electoral recriminations; and that all-important document of conference resolutions for the new NEC to digest and deliver.

Whatever you thought about NUS conference if you attended and whatever preconceptions you have of it if you haven’t been, it is undoubtedly the most political event of NUS’ calendar and for me the most exciting. In such a large and diverse movement as ours, it’s healthy that we come together in this way, so that different views can be heard and we can unite around our common goals.

In the year in which top-up fees will be introduced and the publication of a key white paper on Further Education will shape the future of the sector, I was disappointed that the Education Zone did not feature at the top of the priority ballot for discussion this year. That’s democracy I guess. We don’t always get our own way.

And that’s the message I think should be heeded by those who lost the argument in the targeted grants debate. I will return in a future blog to the finer points of this policy and where I will be taking this issue during the coming year. For now, I would simply ask my colleagues on the National Executive Committee who oppose this policy to wind their necks in. We don’t always get our way in debates, but respect the fact that it has taken place and our role, collectively, as a National Executive, in taking it forward. If our policy had remained in favour of universal grants for every rich Tom, Dick or Prince Harry you can bet your student loan cheque that I would pursue that policy with exactly the same drive and determination and I will certainly not be taking any lectures from those who decry this as a damaging blow to our Free Education policy, but have done little in a full-time role to make any meaningful steps to deliver that policy. By all means, bring it back next year and I’ll look forward to that debate then.

For all our differences on the finer points of education funding, there was much to unite around within the education debate. A clear lead from our members on the future of Further Education, the first time that I can ever recall FE being prioritised during debate in this way; a clear call for equality in education; and a united demand for Free Education, backed up by an active, engaging and inspiring campaign for defend our education.

My record and commitment on these issues are clear and I was delighted to have been elected, with one of the largest mandates of the conference, to carry forward this policy into practice as your next Vice-President (Education). I’d like to thank every single person who voted and campaigned for me for their support. In particular I must thank those of you who helped with my speech: Mel, Gareth, Josh and, of course, Jo Salmon. I also can’t forget to mention my long-distance speechwriter up in Scotland (no, not Gordon Brown before anyone suggests something so ridiculous… it really wouldn’t surprise me) and my fish and chips supplier for keeping me going!

I believe that positive decisions were taken in other debates to take NUS forward as an effective campaigning organisation. The Strong & Active Unions debate made, in my opinion, the wise decision to proceed with the national rollout of NUS Extra. I know that the successful rollout of this project will be a priority for Gemma, Stephen and Joe during the coming year. I was also pleased that we decided against short-sighted, snap reforms of the NEC structures; merging the National Secretary and Treasurer and replacing the VP Education with a VP Higher Education would have been major reforms without major discussion. Such reforms should not be made in haste.

A positive, largely united, discussion within the welfare zone was largely overshadowed by attempts to remove Hizb-ut Tahrir from the No Platform Policy, which took place within a poisonous atmosphere where opposition speakers were heckled, intimidated and threatened. I have never seen so many seasoned NUS speakers so intimidated. Whatever side you took on the issue, no one should be subjected to intimidation within our walls. There were nonetheless some amazing speeches. I only wish all my colleagues on the NEC had signed a statement circulated before the debate to condemn the bigotry and outright hatred of certain minorities exhibited by this group and trust that a notable omission was not the result of a desperate grab for votes in the presidential election.

The Society & Citizenship debate seemed to revolve largely around the issue as to whether or not we should boycott Coca Cola. As a committed trade unionist and Amicus member, it should come as no surprise that I followed the advice of my trade union and the TUC to vote against boycotting Coke and to instead seek other ways to highlight and oppose the scandal of Columbian trade unionists and student unionists being shot. Should this debate have taken place on conference floor? Of course it should! NUS has a proud history of international solidarity and action and I hope that by our common resolve we can do much more to help the situation in Columbia beyond simple expressions of solidarity towards active and meaningful support.

The only glaring omission from conference floor was a debate about the current lecturers dispute and NUS’ response to it. There is no doubt in my mind that the public divisions within our movement that have emerged since conference would not have been so severe if they had been given a chance to manifest themselves on conference floor. Though I believe this was more cock-up than conspiracy.

Watching the dispute tear apart our membership in the full glare of the media in recent weeks has reinforced two things to me; first, is that NUS conference is fundamental to managing conflict and negotiating consensus within our movement. Second, is that we are strongest when we are united. If we are unable to establish a united sense of purpose with urgency in July, our time in Blackpool will have been wasted and our ability to defend our members will be diminished.

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If you have written a blog or delegate report for your about NUS conference, I’d be genuinely interested to read it, whatever your political viewpoint. Get in touch!

Email them to me on wes.streeting@nus.org.uk You can also get in touch with me about any other issues on this address or by phoning me on 07738 477 353

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