By Rhydian Morris
Eyebrows have been raised recently by the NUS Wales 2016 conference decision to back a motion for NUS Wales to work constructively with UKIP for student’s interests in Wales, following the May Assembly elections. UKIP are projected to gain anywhere from 6-12 seats in the assembly, the first time UKIP will be involved in Welsh politics to this high of a level.
The motion named “Rules of engagement” was proposed by Coleg Sir Gar student’s union. The motion proposed that NUS Wales should work constructively with UKIP, for the benefit of student’s interests in Wales. It recognised that while some members of UKIP have expressed views that are functionally incompatible with the goals and values of NUS, it suggests that there is some ground that can be met where NUS and UKIP can work together in the Assembly to benefit students. The motion further resolved that UKIP would not be given a platform unchallenged and that the party will be held to a much higher degree of scrutiny than other parties. Finally, the motion resolved that NUS would review this relationship based on UKIPs further policies, in relation to education and student interests.
Robiu Salisu, Swansea Student’s Unions Education Officer had this to say about the decision “The NUS Wales’s motion to work with UKIP was something that I disagreed with due to the nature of the party. The passing of this motion will further exclude women, black and LGBT students. I believe any party which stands to divide and demonise sections of our community should not be given a platform”.
The motion was passed at the March NUS Wales 2016 Conference and the majority of Full-time officers voted for the motion.
NUS Wales to work constructively with UKIP
Eyebrows have been raised recently by the NUS Wales 2016 conference decision to back a motion for NUS Wales to work constructively with UKIP for student’s interests in Wales, following the May Assembly elections. UKIP are projected to gain anywhere from 6-12 seats in the assembly, the first time UKIP will be involved in Welsh politics to this high of a level.
The motion named “Rules of engagement” was proposed by Coleg Sir Gar student’s union. The motion proposed thatNUS Wales should work constructively with UKIP, for the benefit of student’s interests in Wales. It recognised that while some members of UKIP have expressed views that are functionally incompatible with the goals and values of NUS, it suggests that there is some ground that can be met whereNUS and UKIP can work together in the Assembly to benefit students. The motion further resolved that UKIP would not be given a platform unchallenged and that the party will be held to a much higher degree of scrutiny than other parties. Finally, the motion resolved that NUS would review this relationship based on UKIPs further policies, in relation to education and student interests.
Robiu Salisu, Swansea Student’s Unions Education Officer had this to say about the decision “The NUS Wales’s motion to work with UKIP was something that I disagreed with due to the nature of the party. The passing of this motion will further exclude women, black and LGBT students. I believe any party which stands to divide and demonise sections of our community should not be given a platform”.
The motion was passed at the March NUS Wales 2016 Conference and the majority of Full-time officers voted for the motion.
