Open Letter from IMG Student Commission At Aston University recently an filiated the Students Union from the National Union of Students. Similar moves are planned by the right at Manchester Liverpoo ane omer universites The resolution to be debated at this weekcnu s nauona concence or lne nus calling for direct ballot clections for the exccutive has attracted astounding support.
the aim or us manoeuvre is to rencr impotent the collective structures of the NUS, ie. the delegate structure based on union general meetings through to a national delegate conference, with delegates speaking and voting on a mandate already decided by those they are representing. Direct elections would bypass these structures, producing executives with no respon sibility to general meetings or conference, elected witnout any mass democratic discussion over the political basis of their candidature. The NUS would be decisively weakened and incapable or orcamsine acccuately to detena student interests.
Demagogy We therefore oppose direct elections for precisely the same reason that we oppose the use of the postal ballot to elect trade union officials. nacco me ssue oreirectelection. can only be discussed within the framework of right-wing demagogy directed ands worn us Class orzarisauuus as the assue is nor democracy m me abstract. Time and again in the history or working class struggies, decisive defeats have been caused by the intervention of the employers and state around democracy. Why do the class. No worker - or student for that matter - is immune to outside influences. Consequentiy the best organisations are those which, operating through their own structures, consistenty struggle against the outside hostile influences. or the state, employers, media, vice-chancellors or principals. By destroying these structures the right hope to give a free rein to such influence and propaganda. For these reasons we are calling on is tneretore vital. The African revolution is at stake in Angola. Western imperialism is pouring in weapons and cash to back the FLA and UNITA. South African troops and the Portuquese fascists of the ELP are also involved in the wa against the MPLA. International solidarity with the latter Solidarity Rally-Friday 12 Dec, 7.30pm Conway Hall, Red Lion Square (Holborn Tube)
Speakers and a film 'Angola in Struggle Organised by Angola Solidarity Committee
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Solidarity with MPLA