NUS campaigns draw battle lines
The YUSU referendum on the Union’s membership of the NUS has split along party lines, with Labour activist Grace-Fletcher Hall fronting the ‘Yes to NUS’ campaign against the ‘No’ camp led by York Conservative Vice-President Alan Yonge. The meeting in which the elections took place was largely attended by members of the two parties.
Fletcher-Hall, who is also YUSU Academic and Welfare officer, and co-coordinator Tom Langrish, current YUSU Training Officer will act in a personal capacity and not as officers of the Union in order to avoid a conflict of interest.
Commenting on the party divisions between the two campaigns Langrish, who is a member of the Liberal Democrats, said: “I think it’s a shame that’s the way it’s turned out, but it could provide for a bit of campaign banter.” He added, “I think apathy is our biggest competitor.”
Speaking on the issue of YUSU’s membership of the NUS, Langrish said: “I believe that continued membership of the NUS is vital for YUSU and its membership. The support NUS provides for our liberation campaigns in terms of resources and advice is invaluable. NUSSL (NUS Services Ltd) ensure that Your:Shop remains the cheap alternative to other campus outlets, and NUS trains, at cost price, most of our officers, giving them the skills they need to better carry out their jobs.”
“Perhaps the most unknown, but possibly the most valuable service NUS provides is in terms of advice and support for YUSU as a whole. For example, if YUSU were ever to be sued (and SUs have been sued in the past) we could call on the NUS legal aid,” he concluded.
Despite the poor turnout for the ‘No’ campaign, with only five people turning up, Yonge said he was not concerned by the apparent lack of support, saying “the pressure is on them with their numbers”. He added “I think it’s about time to leave the NUS, we’re paying tens of thousands of pounds to something that is not giving us or anyone I have spoken to any benefits.”
Both sides have said they will take advantage of the decision to allow online campaigning methods.
The YUSU-organised referendum will be coordinated by President Anne-Marie Canning, while Service and Finance Officer Matt Burton will act as returning officer. Both ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ camps will receive £200 to use for campaigning materials, in addition to non-partisan posters that will be distributed on behalf of the Union.
A number of speakers have been invited to campus to take part in a debate on the issue, including NUS President Gemma Tumelty and John Randall, former head of the Quality Assurance Agency, the government’s watchdog for higher education. Randall, a York graduate, was YUSU President from 1969-70, and later NUS President. Former YUSU President Micky Armstrong has also been invited to attend.
Online voting will commence begin at 12pm on Monday, November 12. 734 votes are needed to reach quoracy.
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It is not along party lines. This issue, as has been proven by the number of individuals (certainly not Tories) that are members of the vote NO facebook group and have added their voices to the cause.