In which Nickers talks about Campaigning, Collectivism, and wishes everyone a Happy New Year.

A slightly unusual blog this time, but rest assured that a ‘what Nickers did in his holidays’ style account will appear soon.

My main role, and the role of all student Officers is to be a political voice and a political representative. For all that election manifestoes are full of promises to improve bars, put your favourite show on at lunchtime or improve the budget for student activities, these things are only signs of a candidate’s ability to listen and their judgements on current issues. The real focus is on representing student views to the University and local community and for allowing students to make changes to their lifestyle, their community and their world. I’ve been quoted before as saying that the job of the Executive is not to run the Union but to make sure it runs itself. Similarly the role of the Executive is not to be the only ones who campaign for an issue, but to ignite debate, inform the Student body of the issues and allow for voices to be heard. This leads to one thing – collectivism. I believe firmly in the ideals of collectivism and unity – and here’s why.

I’ve been involved with various campaigns over the years and a few phrases ring through as being utterly absurd. The first was from a woman who didn’t support a petition asking for phones to be returned to halls as “I don’t sign petitions on principle”. The principle was presumably that she didn’t want her voice to be heard. At a recent conference the discussion turned to City Academies and a speaker said “There’s no point in discussing this… we can’t change anything”. Both of these events seem to me to have one thing behind them – the lack of self-belief in the person concerned. I’m in a privileged job where each day my goal is to allow people to develop themselves and explore their potential. The most privileged aspect of this is knowing that each and every student I meet has an enormous amount to offer. Collectivism can be described as a loss of identity – I think it’s much more a celebration of individual identity, both of the self and those around you. That’s what makes a Union of Students so powerful when it campaigns. A 100 signatures on a petition is not one piece of paper with lots of marks, its 100 people describing their convictions, their beliefs and their purpose and the it’s also a sign that each of those people have a sense of self conviction, self belief and self purpose. A united voice is a strong voice, and a united campaigning voice is a dangerous and exciting prospect.

The other more recent event that has spurred this blog is a text from one of my friends that read “Merry Christmas and well done on the Civil Partnership stuff – that’s great”. I don’t want to suggest that my friend’s sentiment was misplaced or that I wasn’t ecstatic when same-sex couples were granted these rights – but the issue here is of who ‘owns’ the campaign. The fight for civil partnerships was not just a fight by the LGBT community but one fought by those who believe in equality. Collectivism is about adding your voice where it is not expected. Apartheid was not ended by black South Africans alone, and when the closure of the Sociology department was announced at Reading the call was from Sociology students to everyone for support, not just for signatures within the school itself. The Students’ Union is made up of a huge number of groups, but what it should never be made up of is a huge number of divisions. A problem for Sports clubs is a problem for all students; a department closure affects everyone and the failure to provide adequate accommodation in one Halls should be accompanied by a cry from all.

2006 will be a major year for all students. The introduction of variable fees, upheaval in the way we can organise ourselves in Students’ Unions, and the continual march of the Education sector towards a commercial state. On the eve of this year I know that I believe these issues can be met, can be overcome and can be used to make the future better for Students. But this can only be done together. 2006 will be a year of change, a year of campaigning and, I hope, a year of collectivism.

Happy New Year to you all,
Nickers x