Factions

There are many organisations and bodies involved in NUS. Here are a few thoughts and facts about some of them (all in a strictly personal capacity!).

Labour Students ('NOLS')

Labour Students have traditionally dominated NUS. Owain James, the current National President, is the first President for around 15 years not to have been an official Labour Students candidate. Currently Labour Students 'hold' several seats on the NEC including VP-Welfare and National Secretary. Labour Students have generally worked in loose alliance with the Union of Jewish Students and several friendly 'Independents' and have continued to dominate the NUS leadership. Recent 'fallings out' over the NUS Presidency led to a fractioning of the alliance with Labout and the 'Independents' running seperate slates - in nearly all cases with Labour coming off worse, Mandy Telford taking the Presidency being Labour Students' only real Conference success. Labour this year came within a handful of votes of losing 'their' second place on the Block of Twelve.

Independents

There are many individuals within NUS claiming to be 'independent'. These fit into several main groups.

'Independent Right'/'Independent Student Officers'

These form the basis of an Independent 'faction', which votes cohesively and in the past has done deals with Labour Students, with whom there is essential agreement as to the direction NUS should take. Manifesto buzzword is 'Independent Student Officer'. Referred to as the 'Independent Right' by those on the left. Generally in favour of structural reform of NUS. This year, the 'Indies' ran a seperate 'slate' this year after Labour's Mandy Telford refused to stand down and back Brooks Duke for President. While Duke's campaign floundered in the face of left-wing support for Mandy, the 'Indies' did well, taking National Secretary, VP Education and VP Welfare as well as seats on the Block of Twelve.

'Independent Centre'

The 'independent centre' of NUS, generally willing to work with others in order to get things done. They used to be based around Chris Fabby (a former VP Education). Treasurer-elect, Dervish Mertcan is largely held to be from this philsophy.

'Genuine Independents'

The 'no deals, no compromise' Independents. Often aggressively anti-factional and therefore find it harder to get things done in NUS and are often marginalised at Conference and on the NEC. Includes generally 'random' candidates. Almost always pro-reform of NUS in both structure and culture.

'Independent Left'

These are generally left-wing 'genuine independents' who are willing to work more closely with the left wing factions, possibly even openly supporting the UFE slate. Also 'rebel' candidates from the main left factions. Traditionally a very weak group as they are not generally trusted by the left factions or other 'independents'. Generally in favour of NUS reform 'from the grassroots'.

Union of Jewish Students (UJS)

UJS traditionally runs a candidate for the National Executive Committee and a candidate for Steering Committee, both as 'Independents'. UJS is actively and obviously, involved with the running of Conference, and is generally the most cohesive faction on Conference floor. Originally involved in trying to defend NUS's 'No Platform' policy UJS is still active in anti-racism and anti-fascism work within NUS. Generally supportive of Labour Students and 'Independent Right' and NBSA candidates a mutual antipathy exists between UJS and the Socialist Worker Student Society as the result of differing views over the vexed question of Palestine. UJS candidate, Daniel Rose, was elected to the Block of Twelve.

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United: Free Education - People before Profit(UFE)

This is the unitedslate run for the six sabbatical positions elected at Conference between the various left factions. Stands for Free Education (grants not fees), against bigotry, supporting autonomy and the right to self organisation of the Liberation campaigns, for an ethical international policy and for empowering the grassroots membership. The only sabbatical officer elected on the UFE slate at Conference 2001 was Sandrea Morgan (VP-FEUD), although she has since left the alliance. Opportunities to stand for the six sabbatical posts are portioned up during bargaining between the groups involved. The 'left slate' has traditionally been the main alternative to the Labour Student/'Independent' leadership but suffered a run of poor results at Conference 2001. The left factions stand individually for the Block of 12 elections.

Socialist Worker Student Society (SWSS)

SWSS is the student wing of the Trotskyist Socialist Workers Party on the hard left of NUS. SWSS regained 'its' seat on the NEC at Conference 2001 following a disappointing performance previously.SWSS tends to stand a number of candidates who stand down in favour of the strongest during Conference and are generally characterised by fiery speeches against the evil of world capitalism.

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Alliance for Workers Liberty (AWL)

AWL is a Trotskyist organisation attempting to operate within the Labour Party and more successfully within the wider Labour Movement. Their student 'fraction' is active within both the Campaign for Free Education and NUS more widely.

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Campaign for Free Education (CfE)

The Campaign for Free Education is a broad-based campaign on the left of NUS fighting for the reintroduction of grants and forcing the Government to end tuition fees, through building a campaign of protest and non-payment. CfE is an alliance which includes supporters of the Alliance for Workers Liberty (dominant within the Campaign), Student Broad Left as well as 'independent' members, generally on the 'softer' left.

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Student Broad Left

Student campaign group seeking to provide a left-wing political leadership to NUS. Has a statement of aims including autonomy, grants not fees, a strong internationalist policy, self-determination and nuclear disarmenment. In terms of policy generally akin to the left wing of the Labour Party. The least powerful of the three major groups within the UFE 'slate' following the failure to get anyone elected to the Block of Twelve in 2001 and the 'defection' of VP-FEUD, Sandrea Morgan, away from Broad Left.

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National Black Students Alliance (NBSA)

Student wing of National Black Alliance. Supports black leadership of the Anti-Racism struggle and for increasing involvement of black students in NUS and students unions. Generally 'soft left' in outlook.

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Others

Liberal Democrat Youth and Students (LDYS)

Weak at Conference over recent years, largly due to a liberal distrust of 'organisation' at Conference. LDYS have recently committed themselves to work within NUS more actively to construct a democratic, campaigning Union (see LDYS policy). Tends to be big on civil liberties and supports the 'Cubie' line on education funding as a first step. Pro-reform of NUS. This year LDYS are backing Paul Leake for election as National Secretary, and Emily Fieran-Reed for election to the Block of Twelve.

website - email

Conservative Future (cf)

The youth and student wing of the Conservative Party. Ran an offical slate for the first time in years at Conference 2001. Generally disliked by all other factions but often known to make humourous speeches against NUS's tendancies to pay lip-service to specific causes such as Trident. Generally commands little support on Conference floor.

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Federation of Student Nationalists

Tends to work closely with Plaid Cymru when it can be bothered to organise.

Plaid Cymru

See above

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Socialist Students

Based around student members of the Socialist Party (formerly Militant). Fell flat on its face at Conference 2001, campaigning as Safe Free Education

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Greens

Greens have not organised at Conference for some time. However there are a significant minority of green-minded delegates at Conference and many candidates across the political spectrum are committed to environmental issues.

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