Can't complain
Thursday saw the election results come out for the UMSU executive. By what must be one of the narrowest margins ever we have a left dominated executive and a socialist general Secretary! Our Exec is:
Full Timers
Gen Sec - Rob Owen (SWP/student RESPECT)
Academic Affairs - Mohammad Yakman Khair (I-Soc)
Student Activities - Elliott Woods (3rd Eye)
Welfare - Mina Mo (student RESPECT/Independent)
Campaigns - Patrick Smith (student RESPECT/3rd eye)
Student Direct (Newspaper) - Sajid Rafiq (Independent)
Communications – Maadh Alhadithi (I-Soc)
Women's - Karla Jayne Thomas (3rd eye)
Part Timers
Int Officer - Karolina Kopiec (Book & Beer Coalition)
Postgrad Officer- Wajid Usman (Pakistani Student Association)
Humanities Officer - Rumanna Habeeb (I-Soc)
Life Sciences Officer - Corrinne Broomfield (Independent)
Engineering Officer - Ejaz (I-Soc)
Medical - Farrah Rana (I-Soc)
We won the General Secretary position by 1283 to 1279 (the first count had a 1279 -1279 draw) against the current Welfare Officer. The most satisfying part was that the BNP Youth leader got a miserable 100 odd votes and looked close to tears when we won with a real Bethnal Green moment. Most other positions were less close with the Labour Student lead “Book and Beer coalition” facing a backlash against their negative campaigning/ red baiting. The tides seem to be turning from when softer left candidates a few years ago lost lower profile elections with similar slate support. SOAS also elected a Socialist President and Respect is going into NUS conference with over 60 delegates. What a change from last year where we were wiped out in Manchester and only got a place on NUS “block of 12” through transfers from other groups. Next year we should actually be in a position where Socialists can show how we would run the student movement.
But it gets better last week a Union meeting of 450 discussed our “Another Education is Possible” motion to twin with Nablus and the Bolivarian Uni Of Venezuela. We lost a few early votes that gutted the motion (thanks to a very well organised opposition) but started to consistently win key votes about the nature of
All that is left is to show that the left can run the
posted by Cliffite @ 11:59 PM
12 Comments:
fucking A! this is yet another brillant result that shows just how far student respect has really gone over the pass year. we have 2/3 sabbs in soas as well so this is pretty damm good go for us nationaly. i only wish our elections at kingston went as well, next year for sure!
roll on nus conference
Woo, I've congratulated everyone already, but it's nice to see it written down. Onwards and Upwards Comrades!
It's good to see there is a site devoted to the politics at our union. It would be interesting as to what you make of the current exec. In my own opinion, gathered from those around, although we only have 1 member of student Respect in our exec this year, by many accounts we have turned a corner in our membership's perception of the union. Is it only Socialists who can change the movement?
Again it really is good to see people within the membership taking such involvement. cheers for now.
Tom Copping
current Gen Sec
no it's not just socialists who can change the movement but we make it a better movement ;).
seriously bravo mancester! we lesser mortals can only bask in your glory.
forward to victory comrades!
Well done 2 everyone, the fun starts now!
Reconciling all those different sets of interests will b hard work.
Up 2 you guys 2 show us, another union is possible. An even better one than we've got now.
He he, Brilliant!
It's going to be a bloody Brilliant Union next year with such a leftist and antiwar Exec.
Particularly good to see Rob Owen leading the Union. I hope to see a Red Flag flying next time I'm on the wrong side of t'Pennines!
http://leftnow.blogspot.com
All together now...
"we'll keep the red flag flying here..."
you all know the words!
The people's flag is deepest red
It shrouded oft our martyred dead
And 'ere their limbs grew stiff and cold
Their hearts' blood dyed its every fold.
{chorus}
So raise the scarlet standard high
Beneath its shade we'll live or die
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer
We'll keep the red flag flying here.
It waved above our infant might
When all ahead seemed dark as night
It witnessed many a deed and vow
We must not change its colour now.
{chorus}
It well recalls the triumphs past
It gives the hope of peace at last
The banner bright, the symbol plain
Of human right and human gain.
{chorus}
With heads uncovered swear we all
To bear it onward till we fall
Come dungeon dark or gallows grim
This song shall be our parting hymn.
{chorus}
The people's flag is deepest red
It shrouded oft our martyred dead...
It says a lot about the British labour movement that these should be the opening bloody lines to its anthem. Another glorious defeat, comrades!
Book and Beer? What the buggery is that meant to mean?
A piss up at the su bar?
thanks for your comment on my blog, I have relied.
Good luck to the current exec, it will be testing.
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