But then, I disagree in general with the notion that an individual can be elected on the basis of family background – any theory that would place Carol and Mark Thatcher on the Conservative front benches must be of questionable validity.

But now that you mentioned it, I would imagine that an equivalent of the NUS no-platform policy applies to YUSU as well, don’t you think?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think that organisations that have been recognised as extremist and racist are not allowed on campus anyway – to take it to the extreme, would you expect YUSU to allow a Hizb ut-Tahrir student society?

If I am not mistaken, which I could be, then this is exactly what this particular UGM did – recognise the BNP as a dangerous, extremist and racist organisation.

I am sure that no candidate will be knowingly defying active policy, so personal beliefs are somewhat irrelevant on that matter, but that was not really my question anyway.”

Once again….which bit of active policy would that be? The NUS has a no platform policy, YUSU definitely does not. I assume you’re referring to this (http://www.yusu.org/union/motion/159/) which resolves ONLY to condemn the POLICIES of the BNP. (Capitals for clarity…). It absolutely stops short of ‘banning the BNP’ (whatever that might mean).

If you want to ‘ban the BNP’ (I assume you mean from campus), then absolutely go and submit a motion about it, and lets have a proper debate, but stop pretending that that motion does anything other than condemn the policies of the BNP.

I am sure that no candidate will be knowingly defying active policy, so personal beliefs are somewhat irrelevant on that matter, but that was not really my question anyway.

“Questions were asked about how the candidates believed the University should react to the BNP and other fascist parties on campus”

They were in fact asked ‘do you believe that YUSU should be raising awareness of antiracist and antifascist activities to the extent of its legal powers’. One candidate answered positively, while the others effectively said that the union shouldn’t be political.

Finally, let me clarify that international week and international events are in fact the responsibility of the ISA, not of the racial equality officer(s). There was clearly some confusion there.

That said, help is of course always welcome and most appreciated, and we’d obviously love to cooperate with the new racial equality officer(s).

Anybody with a YUSU committee position is unable to hold a trustee role (excluding the Sabbs who are trustees)

Best thing YUSU has done all year if you ask me.

I would do it again if I wasn’t banned constitutionally