News

NUS CONFERENCE REPORT: GOVERNANCE PROPOSALS REJECTED

The NUS was left in tatters last week as the Governance proposals, aimed at modernizing the union’s outdated structures failed to be ratified at its annual conference in Blackpool. A fiery debate heard that the changes would transform the union for the benefit of students and make it more representative. NUS president, Gemma Tumelty, told delegates: “These changes haven’t been forced on you from up high. These are your ideas. Will you vote yes to an NUS of the future? Or, no, let’s stick with irrelevant out-of-date structures?”

In a surprise and unexpected result, only 692 delegates voted in favour with 383 against. Also, a large number of delegates abstained meaning that the proposals were 25 votes short of the 2/3rds majority needed for ratification. The announcement of the result was met with howls of delight from delegates against the proposals

The result led to chaos on conference floor with many delegates shocked by the defeat. Vice President for Higher Education Wes Streeting called for a recount. But in yet more controversy, the request, after originally being agreed to, had to be stopped after it emerged that the doors to conference floor, which are locked during a vote, were re-opened by security before authorisation from the independent chair, meaning any recount would be invalid.

All conference business was temporarily suspended for Gemma Tumelty to make a statement. She used it to launch a scathing attack on the left of the union who she blamed for defeating the ‘essential new structures’. Streeting followed on by lashing out at delegates who had broken their student union line by voting against the proposals. The vote is undoubtedly an embarrassing defeat for the NUS leadership, particularly President Gemma Tumelty.

Sofie Buckland, from the national executive, said delegates voting against the motion were being unjustly labeled “extremist lefties”. “A dirty war is being waged by the leadership against anyone opposing them,” she said to loud applause.

Privacy Policy  •   Terms of Service  •  Student Newspaper Advertising   •  Contact Us