Last weekend over 130 delegates from Labour Clubs across the country descended upon Labour Party Head Office for National Council 2008. What better way to get away from the pre-Christmas rush?!
We heard from several high profi
le speakers who then took a wide range of question from delegates. Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and James Purnell MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions were joined by Derek Draper and Richard Howitt MEP in giving key note speeches.
Demonstrating our true campaigning might, delegates participated in a two hour phone bank campaigning in vital key seats to help secure a Labour victory at the next election. Delegates also enjoyed a much argued-for X Factor Final Party hosted by NEC Youth & Students Representative, Stephanie Peacock. Although this event divided the loyalties of many Labour Clubs there was no ill will the next morning as delegates cast their votes for the Labour Students Policy Forum. With almost twenty candidates contesting seven places, many first time delegates had their chance to hust and stand in this hotly contested election. The successful candidates – Richard Hincks (LSE), Georgia Elliot (Newcastle College), Jamie McMahon (Nottingham), Sarah Jones (Liverpool), Chloe Howard (Liverpool), Simon Darvill (Swansea) and Ralph Kirkwood (Strathclyde) -will now help shape the policy direction of Labour Students as we lobby hard for the policy changes we want to see. Congratulations to those elected.
In addition this event was a chance for Labour Clubs to debate policy and set the agenda of the organisation. Council voted in favour of several campaigns from Birmingham’s campaign to equalise the minimum wage to Leeds Labour Students’ efforts to stop HMO quotas.
Finally National Council served its historic role as the democratic event that nominates our candidates for election to the National Union of Students National Executive Committee. This year Council chose to nominate Wes Streeting and Susan Nash and to be full time candidates, and Tobin Webb and Ed Marsh were nominated as our candidates for part time office. Wes Streeting, NUS National President, reminded delegates of the critical challenge we face in ratifying NUS reforms in Januar,y and looking ahead to Annual Conference it is vital for Labour Clubs across the country to mobilise to ensure that NUS remains under progressive leadership. Join us and Be part of it at the next national event in the spring, Labour Students National Conference and watch this space for details!
