Manchester Labour Students

Committee Election Results

2009-11-26T15:07:00.002Z

Manchester Labour Students has elected a new Committee, the results of which are as follows:

Chair (MMU): Lauren Cooper

Chair (UoM): Andrew Campbell

Secretary (MMU): Josh Terry

Secretary (UoM): Talia Akhtar

Treasurer (MMU): Luke Pollard

Treasurer (UoM): Hannah Spector

Labour Party Campaigns Officer: Bill Martin

Students' Unions Campaigns Officer: Fin McGoldrick

Political Events Officer: Elsie Wraighte

Social Secretary: Francesca Lemanczyk

Membership Officer: Tamoor Tariq

Publicity Officer: Ben Furber

The liberation positions are yet to be decided, these will be elected at the respective liberation caucuses.

For the full election results take a look here:

http://www.manchesterlabourstudents.org/elections/0910%20Committee%20Election%20Results.pdf

Last Call for Committee Nominations

2009-11-19T11:45:00.002Z

Calling all MLS members:

Nominations will close for the Committee elections to be held next week, tomorrow at 5pm. So if you’ve been thinking about standing and are currently on the fence – now is the time to make your mind up.

There are lots of positions to choose from (http://www.manchesterlabourstudents.org/elections), so if you think you’d be good at any of them, please stand! You’ve got nothing to lose and a great experience to gain.

To nominate yourself simply email me (richard@manchesterlabourstudents.org) the position you want to stand for and if you like, a Manifesto as well as long as it isn’t more than a side of A4.

Manchester Labour Students contribute to Glasgow NE Victory

2009-11-15T20:05:00.003Z

Labour have won a stunning victory in Glasgow North East following an excellent and honourably fought campaign in the Scottish constituency. Willie Bain was duly elected with a solid majority of 8111 votes, a 59.39% share, which represented a 1.89% swing to Labour.

Talia Akhtar & I joined Labour Students from all around the country to spend a week in the constituency during polling week to deliver leaflets and knock on the doors of local constituents to deliver the Labour message. We campaigned with councillors, MPs, MSPs and the odd celebrity in Eddie Izzard - everyone helping to fight SNP cuts and elect the only local candidate. It was hard work but rewarding that we could contribute to such a successful campaign.

Congratulations to the new Labour Member of Parliament for Glasgow North East, Willie Bain.

Labour Students Political Weekend 2009

2009-11-15T19:51:00.010Z

Last week Manchester Labour Students joined members from Labour clubs from all around the country to descend on the Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort outside Brigg in North Lincolnshire for Labour Students Political Weekend, the first national event of the academic year. Travelling from Manchester meant we didn’t have to wake up at 4.30am like Labour Students from our devolved nations so we arrived ready & raring for a weekend of speakers, policy debates & the legendary Saturday night social.

The weekend kicked off with a welcome from National Chair Joseph Sherry, followed by a session with the quite hilarious Ian Cawsey, the local MP for Brigg and Goole and member of the Parliamentary rock group ‘MP4’. Other speakers on the day included Special Advisor to Gordon Brown, Kirsty McNeill, & Vernon Coaker MP who is currently Minister of State for Schools and Learners at the DCSF. Ellie Reeves fromthe Labour Party National Executive Committee and her sister Rachel Reeves, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Leeds West also spoke to us in a session on their experiences in the Party & then joined our female members at the Women’s Reception. The Women’s Reception was my personal highlight of the weekend as it was great to see a record number of female members at a national event (plus the free wine is always a treat). The Saturday night social kicked off with a quiz (at which Manchester failed abysmally) followed by a three course meal & the legendary disco.

On the Sunday, after an incredible cooked breakfast to aid our recovery from spending the previous night dancing to Things Can Only Get Better, there were sessions on joining a Trade Union, holding our NUS group to account & an introduction to the Cooperative Party from Cooperative Youth Secretary Joseph Russo. Each member also chose a policy group to debate in where we discussed policy ideas for a Labour Fourth Term.

The weekend was a great success & opportunity to meet up with like-minded individuals from universities all around the country & hear speakers who were inspirational in encouraging us to fight in our constituencies for a Labour Fourth Term.

NUS Delegate Election Results!

2009-11-05T20:45:00.002Z

Tonight saw the close of UMSU's delegate elections for NUS Conference 2010. The full results will probably appear on the UMSU website tomorrow.

Nevertheless I'm really happy to say that the two Manchester Labour Students candidates Mel Haslam and John Gilchrist both secured a place!

Mel managed to top the ballot getting more 1st preference votes than any other candidate securing 90 votes, 20 ahead of the person coming 2nd place.

Thank you to everyone that voted for Mel and John and also congratulations to Josh Barth as well who won the by-election for EPS Faculty Officer on the UMSU Exec this evening.

NUS and Manchester's students will be better off in having Mel and John representing students issues on conference floor.

UoM Chair to Step Down at AGM

2009-10-27T14:21:00.006Z

With the club’s Committee elections a month away now I thought it would be worth letting people know my intentions so members can start to consider what they might be interested in standing for.

I've decided that I will not be re-standing as Co-Chair (UoM) at the AGM next month and therefore will stop being Chair a week after that.

It has been a really difficult decision but I feel that at this point in the year when we have been able to achieve a good level of members and I've been able to ensure that club's finances are in the best position they have been in to date, a new Chair would have all the resources needed to work with the rest of the Committee to have a really successful year.

I won't be standing for any position on the Committee at the AGM and therefore will act as Returning Officer for all the non-Liberation posts. If you would like more information on the elections take a look here: http://www.manchesterlabourstudents.org/elections

Although I’ve only been Chair for 8 months, I’ve been on the Executive Committee for 2 years and in that time I’ve been the club grow hugely not just in size but also in its culture and influence.

Manchester Labour Students is an excellent organisation that I know will go from strength to strength and I’m really excited to see it move to its next generation of leadership.

Please please please please, please come to this, please. Please.

2009-10-23T14:13:00.001+01:00

As our lovely blog readers I would take it as a personal favour if those of you that *cough* self identify as women would go to awesome Hannah’s awesome women’s forum event. I’m very sad that I’m not allowed to go. :(

First event of the year for self defining female members is Wednesday 28th October at 16:30 in Bikos cafe University of Manchester SU.

This will be a chance to catch up, discuss key issues for women in the labour party and decide a priority campaign for this year. And make a plan of action for future events that you would like. After will be a chance to go to the riverters which is the womens rights collective at University of Manchester and is open to Man Met students as well.

If you cant make it but would like to get involved in the Womens' Campaign Group there will be many more events, but you may want to go to Manchester Labour Womens' Forum this saturday at 12 at the Co-op Rooms, Barlow Moor Rd with the Withington PPC Lucy Powel.

Why Twitter is Basically Awesome

2009-10-18T15:12:00.002+01:00

So this is my first proper post on the Manchester Labour Students Blog. My plan was for it to be insightful, thought providing, witty and clever...screw that, let’s talk about why Twitter is awesome.

I’m not going to tell you what Twitter is: if you don’t know, you can google it. What I do want to tell you is why Twitter might help you want to get involved with Manchester Labour Students. This post is really for you members that haven’t quite made the leap of being active. Twitter can help you want to become an activist; Twitter can help you get to know some of us.

There are five of us on the exec that tweet: Richard, Mel, Jonty, Rob and myself. The other four keep us all updated about what they are up to and what funny or stupid thing just happened around them: I tweet to avoid getting any work done. We all tweet different amounts and about different things but what we all like to do is have a natter. What you won’t ever see is any of us being anything other than genuine and personable.

That’s the fun, personal side of it. Meeting people you know from twitter is always easy: the ice has already been broken. So if you’re unsure if you want to come to one of our campaign days, political debates or even one of our meetings then chat to some of us on twitter and find out for sure.

Generally though, Twitter is starting to make a serious impact politically. Two issues this week, promoted primarily by people tweeting about them, have made national news. So if you didn't know about this and/or this...where have you been?

After following me, Richard, Mel, Jonty and Rob on twitter you've got to follow Kerry McCarthy who is the Labour Party's twitter Tsar (that isn't her official title, but her official one doesn't have alliteration).

Cheers!

Do you have a broken leg?

2009-10-14T14:36:00.001+01:00

If you don’t have a broken leg then you should be at campaign training at 13.30 on Sunday. Lucy Powell, our favourite Labour parliamentary candidate for Withington will be there. As will our favourite MMU student union president for 09/10, Rob Boardman. Our favourite co-chairs of Manchester Labour Students will be there... (sorry, I’ll stop doing that now).

But seriously guys, if you can be there please go. It’s so important we get out and campaign this year. Lucy needs all the support we can give her in Withington and it could well make the difference between there being a Labour MP and a Lib Dem MP for that part of Manchester.

The facebook event for the session is here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=153698128098

Your best bet is to meet us outside University of Manchester Student Union's Steve Biko building on Oxford Road at 1 and we'll go from there.

Please be there, thanks.

New Publicity Officer and MMU Treasurer

2009-10-06T16:37:00.003+01:00

I'd like to be the first to welcome two new members of the Manchester Labour Students Executive Committee.

Ben Furber, who is probably known to most of you as @benfurber, is our new Publicity Officer. As he has already helped out the club with producing some printed materials for Freshers' Week so I know he'll do a great job in this Committee Role.

Luke Pollard is our new MMU Treasurer, Luke was previously MMU Chair so it is great to have him back on the Committee.

Welcome to you both!

Reasons to Join MLS: #5 – Making a Difference!

2009-09-25T10:00:00.003+01:00

Ok so Freshers’ Fair is over now. If you joined us – welcome! If you didn’t make it to our stall, don’t worry. If you send us an email: freshers@manchesterlabourstudents.org we’re more than happy to sign you up!

Now there are many more than just 5 reasons to join Manchester Labour Students but we ran out of Freshers’ Fair days to run these blog posts on!

Our final reason is making a difference. By getting involved with Manchester Labour Students you can shape the policy process through our events and make a really big difference on the ground by campaigning.

With the threat of a Conservative government and the threat of more Fib Dem MPs there is so much to fight for. With our Labour values on the line, by getting out there and doing something you really can make a difference. I hope you'll be part of it.

See you soon!

Reasons to Join MLS: #4 – Rewarding Campaigns!

2009-09-24T08:30:00.004+01:00

It is the last day of Freshers Fair!!! Now is the time to come down to see us!

Manchester Labour Students campaign within our students' unions, NUS and of course with the Labour Party in Manchester and across the North West.

In UMSU we have Council Members who work very hard to influence the union to be as relevant to students possible. Up the road at mmunion their President is our very own Rob Boardman. Manchester Labour Students has candidates at the sabbatical elections as well as NUS Delegate elections.

We do a lot of campaigning in the parliamentary seat of Manchester Withington for Lucy Powell, the Labour Parliamentary candidate who is a great friend of Manchester Labour Students. Withington is currently held by a Lib Dem MP who only just won last time and Labour are in a really good position to take the seat back at the next election which will fall in this academic year. We also do campaigning in various places throughout the North West and beyond.

We always have some members who prefer our events side and some who prefer our campaigns side. But for those who haven't done campaigning before and would like to try it, there are plenty of chances to get involved and we will run a campaign training session at some point for those who want to come along!

So don’t forget to come and see us today to join Manchester Labour Students!

Reasons to Join MLS: #3 – National Involvement!

2009-09-23T08:30:00.003+01:00

We are into day number 2 of the University of Manchester Freshers’ Fair and, drum-roll please; we are now at MMU Freshers’ Fair as well! So all you MMU students out there: come and see us!

Into our third reason to join MLS now, today's is our national involvement. We are affiliated to Labour Students, which is the national umbrella organisation for Labour Clubs which choose to affiliate. It, in turn, is affiliated to the Labour Party.

This means that we attend the three national events each year. The first national event is Labour Students Political Weekend, which is a weekend away with many Labour Students from up and down the country. It is a bit like an über-social with speakers and a few other things thrown in. Last year's was held at a brilliant hotel just outside of Sheffield, it's one not to be missed. (Details of how to sign up to this are in your welcome magazine which you get when you join).

We send delegates to the other national events, National Council and National Conference. This is where Labour Students policy is made, elections held and of course there is a social thrown in as well.

As a member of Manchester Labour Students you'll be able to attend these events and be part of shaping what happens with Labour Students nationally.

So don't forget to come and see us to join Manchester Labour Students!

Reasons to Join MLS: #2 – Fun Socials!

2009-09-22T08:45:00.005+01:00

Freshers’ Fair begins in Academy 1! Come and see us either in Academy 1 or outside on Oxford Road (if it isn’t raining). If you’re an MMU student we will be at the MMU Freshers’ Fair tomorrow or come and see us today down the road. If you’re at RNCM, Manchester College or Salford University unfortunately we don’t have stalls on your doorstep but you’re welcome to come see us on Oxford Road to join.

Today's reason for joining Manchester Labour Students is our socials. Now many societies will have socials have involve trips to Curry Mile in Rusholme and China Town in the City Centre, and of course we are no different! There are plenty of opportunities for our members to get to know each other

The kind of social events we have include film screenings, meals out, theatre and cinema trips and a good-old-fashioned trips to the pub. Granted many societies will offer this as well but going out with MLS means you'll be in great company.

So don’t forget to come and see us to join Manchester Labour Students!

Reasons to Join MLS: #1 – Great Political Events!

2009-09-21T12:00:00.005+01:00

So it is that time of year again. One day away from the start of Freshers’ Fair at the University of Manchester, two away from the start of MMU Freshers’ Fair. Are you thinking to yourself; I’d like to get involved in some societies this year?

If you’re reading this blog post let’s assume that Manchester Labour Students is on your radar. There are plenty of reasons to come down to Freshers’ Fair in the next few days and sign up, but in this post we’re focusing on just one – our political events.

To give you a flavour, last year we had events with Lucy Powell, Tony Lloyd, Bev Hughes, John Mann, James Reed, Ed Miliband, Andy Burnham, James Purnell, John Denham, John Prescott, Neil Kinnock and Eddie Izzard.

We hold a wide range of events, sometimes large scale events when students of every or no political persuasion are welcome, other times its smaller scale events with MLS members and a guest. Types of events include speeches, Q and As, visits, meals and many more. It isn’t just events with a high-profile speaker though, we will often hold policy focused meetings where we get to debate some of the major issues of the day within the club.

Being part of Manchester Labour Students gives you many opportunities to meet those really key people in the Labour movement and this year promises to have some great political events.

So don’t forget to come and see us tomorrow to join Manchester Labour Students!

Freshers' Week!

2009-09-20T19:34:00.006+01:00

Freshers' Week is upon us, thousands of students are arriving in Manchester for the first time. Oxford Road has come to life again after those quiet summer months.

Freshers' Fair is going on Tuesday-Thursday at the University of Manchester and Wednesday-Thursday at Manchester Metropolitan University. Manchester Labour Students will be at both of those sigining people up!

From tomorrow onwards we'll be posting on the blog a reason to join Manchester Labour Students every day for the week, so hopefully by Thursday you'll come and see us! Joining costs just £1 for that you can also having free membership of the Labour Party if you want it and don't already have it. If you join you'll also get also take as much free stuff off our stall as you can get your hands on!

During Freshers' Week you can also take a look at our Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/manclabstudents and follow us as we post about the goings on.

So don't forget to come and see Richard, Lauren, John, Jonty, Mel, Andrew, Hannah and Matt, our Freshers' Week Stall Team!

Welcome to Manchester from Cllr Mike Amesbury

2009-09-20T10:00:00.002+01:00

Mike Amesbury is one of three Labour Councillors for the City's Fallowfield ward which covers the University of Manchester's Fallowfield Campus. He is also the responsible for Culture and Leisure in Manchester. He sends his welcome to students arriving in Manchester this week:

"Welcome to Manchester, the city that gave the world it's first industrial revolution, Passenger Railway, the computer, the splitting of the atom, Tony Wilson, United and City.

Over the last 15 years Manchester has gone through a major transformation investing over £400 million pounds in major cultural projects such as the City Art Gallery, Bridgewater Hall, Royal Exchange Theatre, Sports City, Manchester Central and Urbis to name but a few.

Manchester of course is not only renowned for its world class cultural buildings, we are the 24 hour party people (in a responsible manner of course!) We have a year round programme of free festivals and events and a music scene that is second to none! I'm confident you will enjoy your student adventure over the next few years so study hard and play within reason."

Cllr Mike Amesbury

Councillor for Fallowfield

Manchester City Council Executive Member for Culture and Leisure

Speaking of cons Mr Clegg...

2009-09-19T14:12:00.006+01:00

Well well well, I see the Lib Dem leader, Nick "who?" Clegg, has been going around today talking about the "Conservative con".

Now I know that Lib Dems have trouble coming up with policies, I know they have serious problems coming up with good leaders, I didn't know however that they had issues coming up with their own catchphrases.

Last year one of Manchester Labour Students' own messages in Freshers Week 2008 was "David Cameron - Putting the Con Back into Conservative". We gave out badges and of course the infamous hedgehog-friendly t-shirts. Clegg in fact came to Manchester last year, just after Freshers' Week (notable for when he told a gay student to "lighten up" on homophobia), so I can only assume that he clocked the idea to pinch it then.

Imagine our surprise then when one year later it turns up as the Lib Dem's pre-conference look-at-us-we-matter-no-really-we-do gimmick.

Now don't get me wrong, I agree with Clegg that David Cameron's Conservatives are presenting a con. My point is that in addition to borrowing inspiration from Manchester Labour Students, the Lib Dems as a whole are constantly presenting a con to voters. From leaflets with completely out of scale bar chart graphs to populist messages that are designed to worry or even scare voters that often are at-best misleading and at-worst complete untruths.

The Fib Dems get away with so much when they campaign, I guess that the reason they get away with it is either people don't bother to read their rubbish leaflets, or they just know that at the end of day they are just pretty irrelevant.

I look forward to receiving Clegg's apology letter shortly.

Crap on Cameron

2009-09-18T14:55:00.009+01:00

I've been busy organising things for Freshers' Week as you might expect when I went to check on our "David Cameron - Putting the Con back into Conservative" t-shirts of which we have had many. If you were thinking you might get a free t-shirt from MLS at Freshers' Fair, the hedgehogs had other ideas.

They have been in our garage for a month or so and in that time a family of hedgehogs had made it their home! In the bag that they had bitten into there was a mother hedgehog and 4 baby hedgehogs as well as 50-100 t-shirts.

I put in a call to the Withington Hedgehog Care Trust and soon after someone came round to our house to collect the hedgehogs and give them a good home and check they're alright before releasing them. We were informed that the mother had done a good job of raising the litten'ens.

So the hedgehogs are now safe and sound, they leave behind a bag full of t-shirts and a not insignificant amount of hedgehog excrement most of which is focused on David Cameron's face, so I can only assume that if these hedgehog's could vote, they would be voting Labour.

Now, who do I talk to about giving hedgehogs the vote?

Best Lib Dem Graph Yet

2009-09-02T19:27:00.005+01:00

Sorry couldn't resist...

(Thanks to Ben Furber for this by the way)

Good luck today for all Freshers-to-be!

2009-08-20T04:30:00.004+01:00

So it's A-Level results day today, no doubt there are thousands of people not sleeping at all at the moment and others who are constantly refreshing UCAS Track to see if their firm offers have confirmed. I know I was...

For anyone with a Firm Offer from either University of Manchester or Manchester Metropolitan University (in particular those thinking of joining Manchester Labour Students next month) especially good luck to you!

If you have an Insurance Offer from one of the two and you find yourself using it, I'm sure once you get to Manchester, you'll never look back.

And if anyone has to go through the not-ideal process of clearing at the end of today if you find yourself in Manchester you'll be better off anyway!

We hope everyone enjoys the celebrations this evening and we look forward to seeing those turning up in Manchester in September during Freshers' Week.

Our New Political Events Officer

2009-08-04T18:37:00.003+01:00

Manchester Labour Students has a new Political Events Officer! Danny Jackson rejoins the Committee in this role after having to previously step down as Secretary of the club when he went to study in Canada for his second Semester last year.

Danny has organised events in the past (including my personal favourite with Compass General Secretary, Gavin Hayes) and is really enthusiastic about the taking on this role.

I know he will be a well valued member of our Exec and I’m confident that he will be a great driver for our events schedule in the coming year.

I’m sure the whole Committee will join with me in saying: welcome back Danny!

(& clearly I felt the need to continue the hat theme in this blog post)

New MMU Club Chair

2009-08-01T10:40:00.003+01:00

Luke Pollard has had to step down as Manchester Metropolitan Labour Club Chair. I’d like to thank him for all the work he has done for Manchester Labour Students and I’m sure he still will be involved with the club for years to come.

Coming in as the new MMU Chair is Lauren Day-Cooper (picture on left) who was previously MMU Secretary. Lauren has been really involved with Manchester Labour Students since she joined us last year and I know she’ll make an excellent Co-Chair so congratulations to her.

The Committee has a whole are currently busy making preparations for Freshers’ Week and hopefully we will be able to talk more about what we have in store soon.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer and any Freshers-to-be aren’t too worried about impending exam results!

Class of 2009

2009-06-18T06:15:00.002+01:00

It falls to me this year to write the customary blog post about the excellent Manchester Labour Students officers that are graduating. We are losing some fantastic people who have been hugely influential and will be greatly missed:

Michael Charles Joslin

Mike is without question the most distinctive character I have ever come across. He has two stand-out abilities, getting things done and getting his bike stolen. Under Mike’s chairmanship of the club we held some great events and strengthened our relationship with the Withington Labour Party. While at University Mike has made massive contributions to the Manchester Labour Party, North West Young Labour, Labour Students nationally, UMSU, and of course Manchester Labour Students itself to name only a few. Mike is going on to work for Labour North West, I’m sure he will be involved in Labour politics for years to come but if it doesn’t work out, I suggest a career in law enforcement…

Alex James

Alex has been an immensely committed and loyal Labour Club member, who notably served as Chair of MLS during the UMSU 08 elections that saw the Incredibles Coalition (which included MLS) achieve electoral success. Alex did great work as a part-time Executive Officer of UMSU, including helping to make significant process on reform to UMSU. He is a great campaigner who works very hard for the cause. And of course I won't ever forget that the football team he supports is Luton Town Watford. Alex is going on to work for Liam Byrne MP in Birmingham.

Ash Singleton

Ash seems to have gone on a political journey since he has been at Manchester, he joined MLS at the start of his third year and in just that one year his contribution to club has been immeasurable, most recently as our Publicity Officer. I won’t ever forget hearing a voicemail he recorded while very drunk that simply said “Mrs Thatcher, Mrs Thatcher” over and over again. Ash has some very interesting job prospects lined up and we wish him well whichever he ends up doing.

I’m sure the whole of the club wishes everyone leaving us this year the very best in what they are doing and thanks them very much for all they have done for Manchester Labour Students!

Brief Thoughts on June 4th

2009-06-16T21:00:00.004+01:00

It has been a few weeks now since the European Parliament and local election results and now after all of the over-hyped furore has subsided; it seems like a good time to reflect.

Firstly in terms of Labour’s performance, you would quite rightly call me mad if I said these results weren’t bad for Labour. However it is worth remembering the anti-politics and minority parties vote that there is in Euro elections hurt governing parties in the UK in particular and in terms of the local elections Labour only lost 1% in the share of the popular vote compared to last year’s local elections. In Manchester, where MLS focused its campaigning efforts, Labour’s vote held up very well.

Secondly the BNP winning seats in Yorkshire & the Humber and right here in the North West is a much more difficult thing to swallow than just mid-term blues. The fact that fascists were elected to a Parliament in the UK is horrendous and the fault of the political class as a whole and it falls on all main parties to deal with it, the reason they elected wasn’t because of an increase in their vote, it was due to other people staying at home. The BNP don’t speak for me or of the vast, vast, vast majority of people in this country.

In my own opinion the BNP winning 2 MEPs should sound caution to those calling for wide-spread constitutional reform, the electoral system used for the European Parliament is madness and forms of PR only allow for parties like the BNP to gain seats and gain ground. To react to the current political problems which include the BNP’s election with making it easier for them to get elected in future is nothing short of insane.

So where do we go from here? In terms of the BNP I think, particularly some in the student movement, should spend a little less time talking about how bad the BNP are to each other and a little more time actually tackling them by getting the anti-BNP vote out in elections. The BBC and others need to recognise that it is acceptable to no-platform fascists and racists in a bid not to legitimatise a band of thugs as a credible political party.

In terms of the Labour Party, some elements need to realise that it isn’t our leader that is harming the party’s chances in the next general elections, it is the disunity and lack of a sense of purpose. Labour has something to fight for at the next election, let’s make sure it is fighting for the future of the country and not fighting each other.

New Website Version

2009-05-08T11:17:00.004+01:00

I'm in the process of designing a new website for Manchester Labour Students, the new design is up already: http://www.manchesterlabourstudents.org

The content will be going in shortly. So, take a look and if you have any suggestions please comment on this post or tweet it to us by mentioning @manclabstudents in your tweet.

In other website-related news, the web address for this blog is now http://blog.manchesterlabourstudents.org, but all the feed addresses will stay the same.

Executive Committee Changes

2009-04-06T09:45:00.001+01:00

A few weeks ago Mike Joslin and Rob Boardman resigned as Co-Chairs of Manchester Labour Students. They have both been fantastic, I wish Mike all the best when he graduates this year and I look forward to working with Rob next year as he remains on our Committee when he takes office as President of MMUnion.

I was elected as Manchester Chair and Luke Pollard was elected as MMU Chair. I am really looking forward to the challenge of leading the club and working with the rest of the Committee in delivering great events and regular campaigning.

Recently Manchester Labour Students changed its Committee Structure; as a result we have recently held by-elections for the new positions. Those elected were:

Labour Party Campaigns Officer: Andrew Campbell

Membership Officer & Secretary: Mel Haslam

Political Events Officer: Ruby Carr

Publicity Officer: Ash Singleton

Social Secretary: Francesca Cane

Students' Unions Campaigns Officer: John Gilchrist

You can view the full Executive Committee on our website.

I am really confident we have an excellent and experienced Committee who are committed to working hard for future of Manchester Labour Students, holding great events and campaigning really hard for Labour success locally and nationally.

NUS Annual Conference 2009

2009-04-05T19:36:00.006+01:00

This past week Manchester Labour Students attended NUS annual conference - with members going as elected delegates from both UMSU and MMUnion. Several of our activists who weren't delegates also went along to volunteer for the many different candidates Labour Students were standing for the NUS National Executive Council.

I am pleased to be able to report that the conference brought huge successes for Labour Students and other progressive political voices within the national union. Firstly, Wes Streeting
was re-elected as NUS President. Wes is a member of Labour Students and has lead the NUS through one of the biggest periods of change in its history during his first term office. He was elected with a huge mandate (81% of votes were cast in his favour) and we wish him well in his drive to make positive change for students.

In another important election for Labour Students, Susan Nash was elected to be the first ever Vice President Society & Citizenship. Susan has been an incredibly hard working member of the national executive this year and has proven herself more than ready to lead the union on important issues such as defeating the BNP in the June European elections. This election was also important as it meant for the first time in 10 years Labour Students had 2 members elected to full time positions.

We were also successful in electing our candidates for the "Block of 15", which is a block of non portfolio, part time members who sit on the national executive. Ed Marsh was re-elected to the block after a hugely successful year, where he is joined by Tobin Webb. These elections mean that Labour Students will once again be leading from the front in the national union, ensuring that progressive voices are heard and students are not let down.

At conference, we also debated and voted on a wide range of policy, which will be used to set the direction of the NUS for the forthcoming year. In perhaps the most important debate, students voted by a wide margin to adopt NUS' "Broke and Broken" policy, which means there will be a key focus on winning the fight for a fairer funding model for students, when the current model of top up fees is reviewed this year. This was a big victory for those of us who did not want to see a return to the NUS of old, where our voices were rarely listened to by politicians and other key decision makers. The decision to pass this policy is welcomed by Manchester Labour Students.

My personal highlight of annual conference this year was the fringe event hosted by the Union of Jewish Students, which featured Ray Hill, a former leading figure in the British far right movement, who subsequently went on to work for Searchlight and infiltrated the BNP - revealing himself in a channel 4 documentary. Ray was one of the most captivating speakers I have ever heard and I urge anyone who get the chance to hear him to take the opportunity to do so.

Manchester Labour Students would like to congratulate all elected candidates, as well as wishing those leaving the student movement this year the best of luck for the future.

The End of an Era

2009-04-05T12:12:00.002+01:00

Two weeks ago now I resigned as Chair of Manchester Labour Students. In June I will be graduating from the University of Manchester with a degree in politics (I hope!). It has been 3 long and eventful years and I have loved every second of my involvement with Labour Students.

I am proud of the achievements of the Labour Club and I am proud of my own personal achievements. Labour Students offers people as an organisation the most incredible of experiences. I have met Tony Blair, been to a drinks reception at Downing Street, seen most cabinet ministers give speeches and met some amazing friends.

In my time as Chair we doubled the membership, improved our links with the local party, held events with Cabinet Ministers, developed a reputation as a campaigning Labour Club and delivered time and time again when we were needed most.

But I never forget why I do this, why I fight so hard, why I give up my life to take up rhetorical arms and pound the streets of this country; because I believe in something.

I was campaigning a few weeks ago and someone said to me "I'm a pensioner who do you think I am voting for?" That is the legacy of 12 years of Labour Government. Services transformed for the people that need them most, our country rebuilt and reshaped and the economy radically transformed and saved from Tory mismanagement. That is why I fight; because this is a legacy that needs defending.

I am proud of my achievements but more than that I am proud of the achievements of this Government and I will never stop fighting for something I so passionately believe is right.

Richard Neudegg, the new Labour Club Chair, I know will do a great job. I wish him and the rest of the club the best for the future and I know that this Club will go from strength to strength.

No such thing as psychology

2009-04-05T10:31:00.005+01:00

Today's Observer contains a fascinating article detailing Mrs. T's formative years in Grantham. We're treated to a Freudian psychoanalytic insight with regards to the development of Maggie's political philosophy:

"Monetarism was an expression of her pathological anal retention (the Big Bang of deregulation was symbolic of her secret desire for explosive release). Her hatred of the nanny state was a response to her own absence of the "suckling breast", her extraordinary insistence on self-reliance an expression of her unconscious desire to destroy her guilty sexual feelings for her father."

Yeah.

Eddie Izzard coming to Manchester Labour Club

2009-02-09T14:02:00.001Z

Eddie Izzard, the world famous comedian and actor, has agreed to come and speak at the University of Manchester about his opinions on politics, modern society and his proud support for the Labour Party.

This promises to be the event of the 2008/09 academic year and one of the biggest events in recent times.

Eddie Izzard started his career as a stand up comedian playing various comedy clubs in the country before progressing to be a West End and Broadway superstar and now a world famous actor.

Izzard, aside from his professional career, has always had a deep passion for politics and is relishing the opportunity to display his humour, wit and values to a large audience of students at our University.

Eddie will be discussing his views with Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for the South Manchester seat of Withington, Lucy Powell, and a to be confirmed guest cabinet speaker.

Wine and refreshments will be on sale and this event is free of charge and there is no need to reserve tickets. The event is first come first served.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Manchester Labour Students.

2008-12-30T18:45:00.001Z

As the year draws to a close, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on the year Manchester Labour Students has had so far and to talk about the hard work that we plan to continue in the New Year.

The academic year began in fantastic fashion for Manchester Labour Students, with the most successful freshers week in our history. Thanks to the hard work of several members of the club, as well as the enthusiasm of many people to join our club, we managed to recruit a record number of members to the party over a 3 day period in early September. The freshers fair also saw the visit of Jamie Reed MP to the club, as he helped us in the drive to recruit new members.

Freshers week ended with one of the most successful events in Manchester Labour Club history when over 200 students turned up to see Ed Miliband MP visit the Students’ Union. The event saw lots of students taking the opportunity to engage a high profile cabinet minister in a Q & A session. The event received widespread coverage including an article in Student Direct. Due to the incredible success of this event, we are planning to bring more high profile speakers to the club next year.

Freshers week was an incredible success and we would like to thank all of those who helped out, signed up or came along to the event for proving that it is possible to engage young people in politics at a time when apathy is at a worrying high in the general population.

In October, Manchester Labour Students heard from another cabinet minister, this time we travelled out to Hyde to visit the constituency office of James Purnell MP, Secretary of State for Work & Pensions. James took the time out of his day to chat to our members and answer any questions they had of him. This is not the first time that he has shown his commitment to young people in the Labour Party and we are always grateful for that.

November was an extremely busy month for us. First and foremost, Manchester Labour Students twice took a large group of Scotland for the long drive to Glenrothes to campaign for the Labour Party in the by-election that was taking place there. Our presence, along with the insane amount of hard work from people the people who travelled from all around the country ensured a big victory for Labour in what was an extremely difficult climate. We are very proud of the hard work our activists put in and the victory made all the hard work worth it.

We also had a big victory for the Students’ Union in November, as Manchester Labour Students worked with many other groups on campus to pass “No Platform Policy” at the UMSU General Meeting, as well as passing reforms to the Students’ Union council which we believe will improve the union a great deal.

Further to this, we then held a joint event with the Manchester Jewish Society with John Mann MP who is the chair of the cross party group on anti-Semitism, where we discussed anti-Semitism on campus as well as his time involved in student politics when he was a student at the University of Manchester.

We topped off the month by travelling to North West Labour Party conference, where our very own chair Mike Joslin was elected to be the chair of North West Young Labour. Oh yeah, and Barack Obama was elected President of the USA too in case you hadn’t heard. This event held a special place in the hearts of Manchester Labour Students as Mike had spent the summer of 2007 working on Obama’s campaign over in the states.

It might have been coming up to Christmas, but we didn’t slow down in December and worked harder than ever to deliver for students in Manchester. We spent every minute we could campaigning for a “Yes” vote in the Manchester transport referendum, and although the result went against us, we were once again noticed as being some of the hardest working campaigners around and enhanced our record of campaigning for not only the Labour Party, but for the interests of the whole community.

Following this, Manchester Labour Students Executive Vice-Chair Richard Neudegg launched his new “Community First” campaign. The work is just beginning, but please support the campaign by joining the Facebook group which Richard set up.

So, it has been an extremely busy year for Manchester Labour Students so far and this is just a small sample of what we have been up to. On top of this we have also been building our already strong relationship with the city party and working very hard on Lucy Powell’s campaign in Manchester Withington. We will be continuing this work throughout the year and continuing to campaign for the party at all opportunities.

That’s about it for now, watch out for our upcoming events which we will be announcing soon and have a great New Year!

The Squirrel says "VOTE YES!"

2008-12-09T22:28:00.003Z

Tomorrow, 10th December, is the last day you can post your vote in Manchester Transport Referendum!

If you leave it to the last day, the 11th, you’ll have to drop it off to the designated location for your local authority. If you live in the Manchester City Council area, this is the Town Hall – look for the giant Santa in the centre of town.

This vote will decide whether or not Manchester get £3billion in transport investment that we wouldn’t get otherwise and will make Manchester a greener and less congested city with a public transport network we can be proud of.

In return we will have a small congestion charge that only 10% of people will pay, only at peak times through the rings, capped at £5 per day that will only be brought in once 80% of the transport improvements have been made.

For students, this is a no-brainer - much faster journey times from Fallowfield into campus and capped bus prices in return for a congestion charge that we are highly unlikely to ever pay – even if you drive you would have to pass through a ring at rush hour.

Manchester Labour Students have been campaigning hard for a YES vote and we very much hope that if you haven’t already done so, you will post your ballot off tomorrow voting yes, being part of the biggest improvement to Manchester in years.

New Executive Committee

2008-12-05T16:05:00.002Z

Last night the new Executive Committee of Manchester Labour Students were elected at the club’s Annual General Meeting.

Michael Joslin was re-elected as Chair and Richard Neudegg, previously Campaigns Officer, was elected Vice-Chair (Executive). Hannah Spector was elected Treasurer.

Our new campaigns team are Mel Haslam and Ash Singleton.

Our new events team are Andrew Campbell and Ruby Carr.

Our new membership team are John Gilchrist and Francesca Cane.

Congratulations to all members of the Exec.

All new members of the Executive will hopefully become authors of this blog so look out for interesting opinion pieces coming soon.

Full details of the Exec Committee are available on our website or click here.

John Mann MP

2008-11-27T00:05:00.004Z

John Mann, MP for Bassetlaw and Chair of All-Party Parliamentary Group on Anti-Semitism, came to Manchester on Friday as part of an event discussing Anti-Semitism and racism in Universities and in the country.

John told of his time as Welfare Officer at UMSU and as Chair of Manchester Labour Students when he was at University in Manchester. He also talked about the work is he currently doing in Parliament and how we fight the BNP in future elections.

John was presented with an honorary club membership card and made Honorary President of Manchester Labour Students.

Update

2008-11-26T14:13:00.001Z

It has been a little while since there has been a blog post. Not much has happen really apart from:

Barack Obama being elected President of the United States along with massive success for Democrats in the House and Senate
Labour winning the Glenrothes by-election against all the odds by 6,737, not bad for one we were expected to lose – with many members of Manchester Labour Students campaigning there right up until Polling Day
Our Students’ Union, UMSU, passing a No-Platform policy and sweeping reforms to Students’ Union Council making it more democratic and sensible
Our Chair, Mike Joslin, being elected Chair of North West Young Labour at North West Regional Conference
Lots of Yes campaigning ahead of the Greater Manchester Transport Referendum – Vote YES by the way!

Ok, so quite a lot of stuff has happened.

President-elect Barack Hussein Obama

2008-11-05T12:24:00.002Z

Change Can Happen

Manchester Labour Students meet James Purnell MP

2008-10-14T23:58:00.004+01:00

11 members of Manchester Labour Students hopped on the train to Hyde last Friday to meet Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Purnell MP, in his constituency office.

We had an informal chat with James about the next general election, government policy and the upcoming Manchester Transport Investment Referendum. James also asked us about student politics in Manchester and the success of our Freshers’ Week.

We were grateful to James for taking time out of his very busy schedule as a Cabinet Minister to meet us.

We also sampled Hyde’s finest fish and chips before heading back to campus.

Manchester Labour Students are planning more opportunities to meet Cabinet Ministers in this kind of setting so if you’re a member, look out for our next event!

Ed Miliband Visits the Students’ Union

2008-09-26T23:54:00.004+01:00

Ed Miliband MP, the Cabinet Office Minister and Labour Party Manifesto Coordinator, visited the University of Manchester Students’ Union on Tuesday for a Freshers’ Week event hosted by Manchester Labour Students. He gave a speech followed by a question and answer session.

The event was well attended by around 200 students who asked questions including how the Labour Party should go about its 4th term election campaign, student finance and LGBT rights. The evening also included brief speeches by Chair of Manchester Labour Students, Mike Joslin and Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Manchester Withington, Lucy Powell.

The Politics Society has written an article about the event which includes more photos:
http://www.manchesterpolitics.co.uk/articles/2008/an-evening-with-ed-miliband/

Manchester Labour Students are very grateful that Ed took the time to talk to students in the Steve Biko Building and hope that this marks the start of a successful series of events in this coming year.

John Denham Visits Withington

2008-09-25T23:51:00.002+01:00

John Denham MP, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, campaigned on student roads in Withington with Manchester Labour Students on Saturday. He visited Withington to hear the views of students on the doorstep.

Manchester Labour Students were also promoting their campaign in favour of the Manchester Congestion Charge, which will result in very significant public transport improvements that will benefit students in return for a charge that students are highly likely never to have to pay.

It was great that John Denham took time out from Labour Party conference to acknowledge the large student population in South Manchester, giving students a chance to put their views directly to him, especially with the Higher Education Funding Review coming up in 2009.

Freshers' Week Team

2008-09-19T15:14:00.008+01:00

Meet the Manchester Labour Students Freshers’ Stall team all sporting their brand new Manchester Labour Students Membership Cards:

From left to right the team are: Danny, Matt, Ian, Rob B, Richard, Alex, Mike, Jason, Rob P and Jonathan.

We are all looking forward to an exciting week and meeting new members at Freshers’ Fair. We will have stalls inside the hall and outside at UMSU and inside the hall at mmunion. If you would like anymore information about the goings on in Freshers' Week, take a look at our website or email us at freshers@manchesterlabourstudents.org.

This year we will also have membership packs on our stall, which will include a t-shirt, Ethernet lead (for students needing to connect to Hornet in their halls) and badges. These will cost £5.

At the University of Manchester membership to Manchester Labour Students will cost £1.

We hope to see you at Freshers' Week and look forward to the rest of the year.

Put Up or Shut Up

2008-09-14T14:25:00.003+01:00

In recent months there has been increasing speculation about the future of the Prime Minister Gordon Brown. In the last few days it seems several MP's have begun openly calling for a leadership election.

This recent activity seems disjointed and sporadic with little planning or forethought, with some MP's getting over excited and expressing their own opinions without considering the dire consequences.

David Miliband, the most plausible challenger to Brown, has already said that he will not challenge Brown at the upcoming Labour Conference. He is arguably the only MP with the ability to mount a coup of this type and he has stated repeatedly his reluctance to do so.

Therefore this continued speculation is highly damaging to the Party, our electoral prospects and Britain, and it has to end right now before things getting out of hand and Gordon Brown's own electoral prospects are damaged beyond the point of no return. Without the presence of an organised plot, nothing is gained what-so-ever from challenging a sitting Prime Minister. We risk destroying ourselves and looking out of touch, we risk seeming more interested in our electoral chances than steering the country through these challenging economic times, which will be the nail in the coffin for this Government if we cannot rise to the difficult challenge.

Instead of allowing Gordon Brown to impose himself, his politics and his agenda, backbench MP's seem intend on savaging the PM. By doing so we are savaging ourselves and we need to stop looking like a bunch of clown's trying desperately to cling to power.

Instead we need to be uniting behind the Prime Minister and asking the real questions that need to be asked.

We need to be asking why David Cameron's party claims to be the party of social justice when they opposed the minimum wage, every penny of Labour's record investment in our schools, hospitals and transport system and why he wants to be as radical as Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister that plunged millions of working class Britons into a vicious circle of poverty.

We need to be asking Mr Cameron why he is proposing someone as Foreign Secretary who described the minimum wage as the single most dangerous piece of legislation in history. We need to be asking the Tories how exactly they are the party of social justice, when this government has built over 200 new hospitals, a 1000 new schools, guaranteed a minimum income for the poorest people and redistributed massively to ensure that all of the people share from all of the wealth that exists in Britain and we have been opposed every step of the way by Mr Cameron's small state, tax-cutting, backward Conservative Party.

Unless the rebels put up a credible challenge it is time for this reckless speculation to end. Labour Party Conference should be the opportunity for us to showcase the legacy of 11 years of Labour investment; but I fear that unfortunately if this talk carries on all we will be able to do is destroy ourselves.

Ed Miliband MP

2008-09-11T07:21:00.000+01:00

Ed Miliband MP, Minister in the Cabinet Office and Labour’s Manifesto Coordinator, is coming to the Students’ Union (Steve Biko Building) to discuss the future for the Labour Party and for Britain in an event hosted by Manchester Labour Students.

This event will take place on Tuesday of Freshers’ Week (23rd Sept) 5:30-6:30pm and anyone who is interested is welcome to attend.

Here is the link on Facebook for more details:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=21872619725

This is a chance to hear from a man at the heart of Labour’s campaign for a fourth-term. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. We will have refreshments.

This event is part of the Manchester Labour Students Freshers’ Week programme which will mark the start of a number of exciting events planned in this coming Semester, we hope to see you there.

What ever happened to television journalism?

2008-09-10T23:35:00.000+01:00

So the American Election is in full swing and I’m addicted to following it to the point where the domestic news channels can’t quench my political thrust. It leads me to watching American news channel when I can; mostly CNN and Fox News.

I find it particularly difficult to watch Fox News without throwing something at the screen and promptly destroying the TV. I mean, ITV News is mindless biased unnewsworthy drivel, but Fox News is really bad mindless biased unnewsworthy drivel.

The increasing rightwing biased of the American TV media has had a huge part to play in the so-called “politics of fear”, which along with the politics of discrimination towards LGBT people and anyone that is pro-choice, helped to give George Bush a second term (the first term he actually won). When I watch Fox News it is as clear as the light of day that they are trying to pull the same trick again this time.

What also is becoming more noticeable is that the style, methods and political bias of channels like Fox News are making their way more and more into the UK. Yes obviously with Sky News, since it is the British sister channel of Fox News, this is hardly surprising. ITV News is following suit on political bias and pointless human interest stories, but then it has done for years. I just don’t want the TV news to be the equivalent of a trashy tabloid for people who cannot be bothered to read – surely I can’t be the only one.

You almost have to laugh at the appalling nature of some of the so-called news of the rightwing propaganda-pedlars but then if you think that some people take it as read and actually believe it, it's quite scary. Perhaps you’ve got to laugh at it; otherwise I guess you’d cry.

Anyway, that’s my little rant done. I guess that leaves me with the BBC News Channel, which isn’t too bad although I swear that they vary the autocue speed depending on how fast a news day it is...

Current Members - Don't Forget to Rejoin!

2008-09-07T15:10:00.000+01:00

The new university year is right around the corner and you might be thinking about what you’d like to get involved with this time around. We really hope that you’ll consider rejoining Manchester Labour Students and getting involved in 2008/9. If you're a current member, your membership of Manchester Labour Students last year was only valid for 2007/8 so with the new academic year your membership will lapse if you don’t rejoin.

So why get involved with Manchester Labour Students this time around?

Bigger, Better and More Frequent Events

This year we plan to have our best ever programme of events, kicking off with Ed Miliband MP coming to talk to us about the Future of the Labour Party on Tuesday of Freshers’ Week (23rd Sept). We are planning debates, discussions, Ministerial visits, film screenings, as well as socials with the obligatory trips to the Curry Mile to name just a few! We also hope to hold events focusing on the American Presidential Election in the run up to November 4th.

Fun and Rewarding Campaigning

Manchester Labour Students has a history of being a campaigning force both with the Manchester Labour Party and within our Students’ Unions. This year will be no different. We plan to hold campaign training for anyone who doesn’t have any experience with campaigning and wants to get involved for the first time. We’ve travelled to many areas of Greater Manchester to help out in the campaigning effort which is always a rewarding experience and often a great laugh.

Activities all over the country and beyond!

We don’t just venture out of Manchester for by-elections! There will be opportunity to go to National Labour Students events including Conference, National Council and Political Weekend. Manchester Labour Students also have sent members onto the continent for the European Congress of Socialist Youth Summer Camp. As far as campaigning goes, we hope to have campaigning days with Cabinet Ministers as well.

The best way to rejoin is to sign up again at Freshers’ Fair; we plan to have a stall inside the hall and outside this year. If you can’t make it to Freshers’ Fair, then please come to one of our events where you will be able to rejoin, alternatively drop us an email at freshers@manchesterlabourstudents.org. Membership for the year only costs £1!

Freshers’ Fair is Monday 22nd – Wednesday 24th September for UMSU and Wednesday 24th – Thursday 25th September for mmunion.

For more information on rejoining, please feel free to get in touch or visit http://www.manchesterlabourstudents.org/rejoin.

Sarah Palin - Big Mistake

2008-09-01T23:19:00.004+01:00

When I first heard that Sarah Palin was John McCain’s choice for the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate for his ticket I was surprised. Initially it seems like it had the potential to take the wind from Barack Obama’s sails after a brilliant convention speech in Denver.

But actually, when thinking about it, it seems to me that Sarah Palin is likely to be a terrible mistake for John McCain. Incidentally that is not a bad thing; anything that improves Obama’s chances is fine by me.

Firstly let’s look at Palin’s 17 year old daughter. Oh dear, she is 5 months pregnant and unmarried. Don’t worry though, the gun-wielding anti-choice Alaskan Governor will ensure there is a shotgun wedding. Now while it would be fair to say that family should be off-limits, the reality is that the electorate in America will take it until account. Palin would have been partly chosen because of her appeal to the socially-conservative Republican base that McCain has struggled with. This doesn’t help.

Palin is very inexperienced. She has only been the Governor of the population-tiny Alaska for 2 years – which is next to nothing. The Vice Presidency is the role which is almost solely in existence to assume the Presidency should needs be. McCain is 72. Now that is old and presents a very real chance that if he were elected, he would die in office. Given that, people will take a close look at the running mate, being inexperienced is unlikely to do his campaign any favours. And you have to admit, when you see the two together, next to the 44 year-old, McCain does look old.

The inexperience also presents another problem: being terribly under-qualified and a woman, leaves McCain open to accusations of tokenism. Some people voted for Hillary not just because she was the first woman with a chance but because she was the first woman who was able to fight for the Presidency on her own merits and was qualified. McCain looks like he is grabbing for Hillary voters with a cynical and cheap punt at female votes. Many, rightly, will just be insulted.

The truth for McCain is that he was doing quite well, but now, he has been blown off course and most of that is his own fault.

Freshers-to-be: Good Luck this Results Day!

2008-08-14T04:55:00.000+01:00

Just a quick note to anyone getting their A-level results today to say good luck!

If Manchester is your conditional firm offer then we hope you get the grades you need to come in September.

If Manchester is your conditional insurance offer and you just missed on your firm offer but met your insurance then frankly I don’t know why you ever wanted that other University for your first choice anyway!

If you have an unconditional offer from Manchester, well this day is going to be a lot less stressful for you!

Whatever happens, we wish you the very best of luck and hope it is a great day for you. A quick tip as well, if you can’t wait until you get that results envelope then UCAS track normally updates at some point in the early morning so you will be able to see if your place is confirmed.

We look forward to welcoming you to Manchester soon, and by the way, if you’re coming to Manchester University or MMU, don’t forget to join Manchester Labour Students…

Barack Obama - Change We Can Believe In

2008-07-19T07:30:00.003+01:00

I think it's about time we had a blog post about the Manchester Labour Students favourite American of moment - Barack Obama.

Obama isn't just the only man in the world to make serif fonts look good, he is also (hopefully) the next President of the United States of America. And regardless of whether you just have a fascination with US politics or a crippling addition to the West Wing or not, America’s Commander-in-Chief matters a lot here in the UK. The result of this election means the difference between staying in Iraq or not, our economy will be greatly affected by whatever the US economy does and the USA’s international relationships will be defined by who is in the White House.

Obama is one of the most gifted orators of our time and while some use it to attack his ability to bring about change, I think the reality is this ability to lift people through speech, giving people hope, provides the level of momentum needed to implement the level of change he seeks to bring about. Obama managed to survive wave after wave of negative campaigning, largely from Hillary Clinton, that would have finished any other candidate but he managed to emerge victorious in achieving the Democratic Nomination using positive campaigning.

“We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant. We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.” – Senator Barack Obama, 08/01/08, Nashua, New Hampshire

Our very own club Chair, Mike Joslin, has not only had the pleasure to be mentioned in a sentence in the Observer newspaper last Sunday but also has worked for the Obama campaign and met the Senator in the flesh. He will testify to the ability of Barack Obama and will always claim that he was in support from the very start.

This coming American General Election would be an absolute walkover if the Republican candidate was anyone else other than McCain. Obama is consistently ahead in the polls, however they do vary in the scale of the lead and in all cases the gap isn’t unclosable. And of course don’t forget the 2000 American General where it was proven that actually winning more votes than the other candidate doesn’t necessarily mean you win the election.

Now for the America voter they must sit through months of eye-watering amounts of money being spent on catching their attention and countless television ads where the man with the deepest voice available is employed to narrate.

And by the way, to any fans of the West Wing, isn’t this whole current setup remarkably similar to the Santos vs. Vinick race? Let’s hope the electoral outcome is the same.

You can count on Manchester Labour Students to be holding some sort of American Election Party on the night of 4 November 2008.

It is that time of year

2008-06-02T10:50:00.004+01:00

We have reached the point in the year where we have to say goodbye to our members who are graduating and this year we are losing some pivotal and inspirational characters from Manchester.We say goodbye to Matt Strong, Alan Scobbie, Dom Benson and Adele Reynolds. All four have made a significant contribution to Manchester Labour Students and the Labour Party.

Matt and Alan in particular have been two figures that have had a huge impact on Labour Students in Manchester.

Matt Strong played a pivotal role in building the Labour Club to what it is now and without him the Labour Club would not have achieved the successes that it has over the last few years under his stewardship. His leadership and firm style will be greatly missed.

Alan Scobbie single handily formed a Labour Club at Manchester Metropolitan University from nothing. His dedication and tenacity has been nothing short of inspirational to all those around him.

Matt and Alan are moving on next year to run Labour Students nationally and it is with a very warm heart that we wish them all the best for the future.

Our New Microsite for Freshers

2008-05-29T15:15:00.005+01:00

The academic year is coming to an end and now our attention turns to the next one.

This week Manchester Labour Students launched a microsite to promote our activities during Freshers’ week and beyond. It is meant to give information to any freshers-to-be that might start looking at what societies they would like to join when they arrive in Manchester over the summer.

At the moment /freshers has some basic information and an FAQs section. As the summer goes on we hope to add more to it about why students should consider joining and more about the events we have planned during the first few weeks of the new academic year.

We look forward to welcome new members to Manchester Labour Students next year and for those who are taking or about take their exams – good luck!

The website address is http://www.manchesterlabourstudents.org/freshers although shortly the microsite will become the website’s homepage linking through to the main site.

To all those current members of Manchester Labour Students, don’t forget you’ll need to re-join us next year if you want to keep your membership. You should get an email about this before the start of the new semester.

Panic is Defeatist

2008-05-26T13:46:00.003+01:00

Well this is our first blog post since the Crewe and Nantwich by-election. No one is pretending that the result was good for the Labour Party but I think there are few important things to note.

Firstly mid-term by-elections are always bumpy for the sitting government which often leads to wild swings that are never replicated in General Elections. Secondly we were not really defending a 7,078 Labour majority; we were defending a 7,078 Gwyneth Dunwoody majority. There are many voters in that constituency that would have voted for Gwyneth regardless of the party. After her sad death, many voters would have felt more open to vote for other parties. This is something that will not be repeated on a national scale. This by-election by no means represented the end of the Labour Government.

I would like to say that Tamsin Dunwoody was an excellent candidate and it is a real shame that the people of Crewe and Nantwich do not have her as their MP. Many Manchester Labour Students spent a lot of time in Crewe campaigning for her and we were very impressed by her energy and drive.

The Sunday papers would have you believe that Gordon Brown is soon to be unseated as leader. I cannot help but feel they are blowing this whole thing clear out of proportion. Granted there are some Labour MPs that can be clouded by their own majority statistics which leads them to somehow believe that changing our leader would improve our election prospects. In my opinion, this is ridiculous.

If you cast your mind back to the 2005 General Election, you might remember the Labour Party’s slogan: “forward, not back”. This could not be more appropriate now. We could spend all our time talking about what was right or wrong about the campaign in Crewe, we could spend all our time considering the benefits or issues with our Prime Minister’s personality, or, here’s an idea, we could focus on getting the message to voters that the Government is getting on with the job and has the policies for the future.

May 2008 has not been the Labour Party’s finest hour, however we must move on.

The next General Election will be won or lost on policy. But we as a party will have no chance at all of presenting any policy if we spend all our time destroying ourselves.

Path to Victory

2008-05-06T12:45:00.008+01:00

Mining through the columnists and commentators in recent days is gloomy stuff. Here are 7 ideas that are radical but not too offensive to those who are flirting with a vote for the Tories. This is not the time for an obvious lurch left, that was in the second term, but it is still time to look angry for change. I hasten to add, none of these ideas are my own but I believe they cohere around a general direction.

1)Elected House of Lords

This one is obvious, the reform needs to be completed and such a change will be one of a major legacy of New Labour.

2)NHS Constitution

An attitude and faith in the public sector should be finalized through an NHS constitution. This will entrench the public sector value system into the organization: one available at the point of need, democratic and decentralized, with an ethos of community that recognizes the motivation of public sector workers. This could truly help mould the social fabric of society, embedding Labour's greatest achievement even further into the national psyche.

3)Electoral Change

Some form of STV or AV to create a system that boosts the plurality of views and the interchange of ideas; and ensures a liberal majority. For those who disagree with the latter point and believe the anti-Labour vote will be bigger than the anti-Tory vote, we should remember that we are a 'democratic' socialist party.

4)A renewed attitude to Equality

Over-zealous old-style redistribution would stink of the retrograde socialism that the media hates even more that the EU and Heather Mills. We need to further arguments surrounding social cohesion: that we have a stake in eachother, that we have a shared sense of collective well-being and common humanity.

One idea is that we could introduce a wealth tax based on overall assets for the super rich that is: a) partially voluntary, encouraging the richest to publicly show social responsibility; tapping into the huge scale philanthropy prevalent in the States, and b) directed in its entirety towards a transparent scheme to provide opportunities for the poorest. E.g. baby bonds, or higher-education grants.

5)Decentralization of Public Services

The major problem with emphasising choice and localization of services has been the articulation of why it is crucial to making Britain a liberal Social Democracy. Decentralization ensures that communities have a stake in their own services, and can make staff feel less like a target-focused machine, and more like a public servant following targeting for social betterment.

6)Citizenship Initiation

Young people feel alienated in modern Britain, lost in the often cold-hearted post-modern wasteland of the knowledge and service economy; think how few students (even those studying politics) failed to vote on May the 1^st. This is through a large mix of factors: the ideological squeeze, the cynical media, the electoral system, and the general apathetic malaise that has followed affluence. To integrate the young into society, to make being a British citizen an understandable balance of duties and rights, we need to introduce a citizenship initiation period. This should come at the end of year 13 (or equivalent), in line with a continual citizenship programme, well-funded and taught by appropriately educated teachers. Included should be the bestowal of the vote as a duty, in line with the streamlining of adult rights: smoking, marriage, drinking, and driving.

7)Make the environment entirely our ground

Unlike many of the above points, this is an area which does get a lot of people passionate, and one where we can really call the Tories bluff (as well as bringing back Lib-Dem voters from the 1997 coalition). CO2 emissions have increased by around 3% since 1997, they shouldn't have.

I think an agenda following these ideas will make us look like a government on the move, eager for change and not despondent to our constituents. It puts us on the attack. Shaping the public discourse not responding to it. I believe this will help us seize a progressive majority and launch us into a fourth term. If not we'll go down fighting for what we, as creatures of the left, believe in.

Please tell me why i'm wrong, i wrote this purely to stimulate debate!

Manchester Labour: No Crisis Here

2008-05-05T20:25:00.006+01:00

Despite results elsewhere in the country being less than healthy the Labour vote has held up remarkably well across Manchester. The two main seats where the Labour Club campaigned hard were Chorlton (which Mike will talk about in a separate post) and Old Moat, both of which were comfortably held in the face of hard campaigns put in by the Liberal Democrats. These two seats are key for the general election campaign, where the Labour club I’m sure will be spending a lot of time campaigning as they form two key battlegrounds for the city’s most marginal seat, Lib-Dem held Manchester Withington.

The latter ward, Old Moat, is a seat which acts as a bit of a microcosm of the wider constituency: there may be large swathes of social housing but the changing nature of the area has seen more owner/occupiers move in plus an increasing amount of young professionals and students living in the area for a limited period (between one and five years). As a result it was fantastic to see Andrew Fender, a councillor here for 25 years now, hold the ward by 444 votes. Particularly encouraging is the fact the Labour vote actually increased across the ward compared to last year. On a night where traditional Labour voters didn’t vote in quite the solid numbers we are used to, Cllr Fender can be very happy with his result.

The 259 majority victory in Chorlton is also of important note for students of Manchester politics. The ward is perhaps unlike any other ward I have ever campaigned in: it holds the greatest number of Guardian readers per capita anywhere in Britain (somewhere approaching 1.0 I would imagine!). The bohemian nature of the Beech Road area coupled with the urban-intelligentsia which reside in the private community of Chorltonville deserted Labour in the wake of Iraq, foundation hospitals and the introduction of tuition fees. These areas are slowly coming back to Labour and this must bode well for the Guardian-reading Labour vote turning out in other areas of the constituency - such as the two Didsbury wards - for the next general election. Incumbent MP John Leech did his best to micro-manage his chosen candidate’s campaign without success and this will come as a personal blow to him, particularly as the Liberals failed to make any in-roads into Old Moat.

Elsewhere in Manchester it was a very mixed night. Labour made gains in Hulme - by wiping out the Greens from the council, though not by anywhere near as much as was expected - and in Longsight. The latter saw an outstanding result, turning a loss last year into a massive 1,200 majority for the young local lad, Luthfur Rahman. In the City Centre ward - a target for a committed Labour team with small resources - Anthony McCaul narrowly failed to beat the high-profile incumbent Lib Dem, Marc Ramsbottom, after running a energetic and fantastic campaign. Anthony must be disappointed personally but in reflection he'll be proud of such a hard fought campaign in a ward where Labour have not previously run credible active campaigns. It was not so great news elsewhere however. Labour missed its target of Whalley Range by a distant margin (it proved not to be the three-way race the Tories had predicted, and they came a distant third). Worse was to come however in the Northenden seat where Mike Kane lost his seat to the Lib-Dems by a heart-breaking eight votes and in Miles Platting/Newton Heath where former UKIP member and Labour councillor Damien O’Connor was elected as a Lib Dem by a comfortable margin of 815 votes.

Despite the two losses in Northenden and Miles Platting/Newton Heath, Labour should be very happy that they have managed to ‘buck the trend’ for each of the three years of the electoral cycle; Manchester City Council remains - and should remain - comfortably within the hands of Manchester Labour. The ‘Manchester Labour’ brand remains strong across the city and the councillors and its executive members must be praised for that. A final well done though should go to Dr Leif Jerram, history lecturer at the University of Manchester, and candidate for the Withington ward (the ward where I was agent last year). Leif managed to gain nine more votes than last year’s candidate, Andrew Simcock, and cut the Lib Dem majority to a mere 759. At this rate Leif should finally become a Withington councillor in the middle of the next millennium!

Manchester Local Elections: Chorlton Ward

2008-05-05T19:07:00.005+01:00

May 1st was a bad day for the Labour Party up and down this country but despite all the doom and gloom in the media in Manchester we achieved some very good results, bucking the national trends and securing some well-fought victories that bode very well for Labour in Manchester.

This was achieved by hard and intelligent campaigning against tough opposition and is a lesson to other Labour Groups across the country that we can win if we work hard and we work well. We need to run targeted campaigns on the issues people care about and we need to talk to as many people as we possibly can. Never can we take people's votes as a given; we need to fight for every single one, and in Manchester we did just that and in Manchester we achieved.

Manchester Labour Students worked tirelessly in the run up to the local elections I personally worked every single day in April to make sure that the Liberal Democrats did not make any gains in Manchester.

Manchester Labour Students have been putting a lot of focus into Chorlton Ward with between 5 and 10 activists out on a regular basis in the area. Chorlton was and remains really vital for the chances of Labour's Parliamentary Candidate, Lucy Powell, in gaining Withington for the Party from Lib Dem MP John Leech. At the last local elections in 2007 the Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Ankers beat off the sitting Labour councillor with a majority of 42.

Both parties realised the stakes involved in this election and both parties put a huge amount of effort into Chorlton with the Liberal Democrats putting out 3 leaflets a week at times and John Leech MP sending personalised hand written letters saying his credibility was on the line. Labour brought in activists from across the city and worked tirelessly to ensure that a councillor that believes in our values of social justice, equality and opportunity was elected.

Well John Leech's candidate lost. She lost by 250. Hardworking incumbent Labour Councillor Sheila Newman saw off the Lib Dem challenger Lianne Williams, who works in John Leech's office and doesn't even live in the ward, by a sizeable majority.

The Liberal Democrats attacked everything. They said Labour would close the post offices. When we aren't. They said that Sheila voted in favour of a planning application. When she didn't. She even said Sheila personally was going to close a post office. When she won't. The Liberal Democrats attacked everything, but didn't propose anything. It was the same old politics of fear from Mr Leech.

The Liberal Democrats at times even resorted to claiming Labour achievements as their own and throwing absurd attacks at Sheila. Mr Leech didn't just throw the kitchen sink at us, he ripped out his entire office and then his house and threw it at us in an unrelenting campaign.

Yet Mr Leech still lost. And why did he lose? Because Labour's intelligent campaign really chimed with local people and local people really responded to it by resoundingly voting Labour. Mr Leech's politics of fear didn't work here and I will ensure it doesn't work anywhere else.

Lucy Powell has got a very good chance of winning the seat in next general election in Withington for Labour and I think John Leech should be scared. Very scared.

David Cameron stand up for the poor? You must be joking ! ! ! !

2008-04-27T16:53:00.001+01:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7369621.stm

I saw this article today and I have to say, I was almost physically sick. To think that a man, who was lining his own pockets whilst the unemployment lines were getting longer and longer and the poor suffered under the tyranny of Margaret Thatcher, is capable of fighting for the poor is pretty much farcical. The person who has promised billions of tax cuts for the rich, provide for our poorest people? You must be joking.

Abolishing the 10 pence tax rate was a mistake, as many grassroots members of the Labour Party have expressed to the leadership, and they have listened and come up with a compensation package to provide for those who have lost out. But for this opportunistic repulsive rodent to say the Tories are the party of the poor makes me feel like I want to throw something at the wall.

To say that the Labour Party has abandoned the poor is beyond a joke. I'm not taking any lectures from a man whose party voted against the minimum wage or opposed working tax credits or voted against Labour’s record investment in our hospitals, schools and other public services. I’m certainly not taking any lectures from the man who was economic advisor the Norman Lamont on Black Wednesday, which destroyed the British economy.

David Cameron stand up for the poor? Oh look there is a squadron of flying pigs outside!

Vote Labour in the Local Elections May 1st!

2008-04-21T23:06:00.005+01:00

Well it’s that time of year again. If you live in a Council area that has elections in three of every four years, which Manchester is one, then you will be accustomed to local elections by now. If you live in London then I’m sure you’ll know all about these elections. If you registered to vote or if you live in a University of Manchester Hall of Residence then you should have got a polling card by now, telling you where your polling station is.

There are plenty of reasons why you should vote Labour in these elections. The Labour Party has excellent candidates in wards across Manchester that are committed to the continued improvement of services in the city and working hard for the communities they seek to represent. Labour candidates across the country are working for safer and cleaner streets, better value for money, greener spaces, healthier communities and a better deal for young people.

I have to mention the London Mayoral Elections as well. Hopefully students in Manchester who live in any of the London Boroughs will have registered for a postal vote; if you have then you should have received or shortly be receiving your ballot papers. There are limitless reasons why you shouldn’t vote for Boris Johnson, a man whose policies fail to truly understand the issues that face Londoners in their day-to-day lives. Ken has the experience, the Labour values, as well as the continued vision to use innovative policies in London that make him the clear choice for Londoners.

Going out to vote is really important in local elections. Low turnout only helps BNP candidates come closer to taking seats and in some cases winning them. Local elections dictate the direction of your local community and ensure that you are heard locally.

Manchester Labour Students have been out in force campaigning in these local elections and we will keep out campaigning to the end. Most recently we have been campaigning in Chorlton on behalf of the Shelia Newman and in Salford for Peter Wheeler with Hazel Blears, Cabinet Minister and Salford MP.

If you want to read more about why you should vote Labour on 1st May then have a look at the Labour Party’s website: http://www.labour.org.uk/new_labour_your_britain_leaflet.

Unite the Union

2008-04-17T10:39:00.004+01:00

Yesterday a delegation from Manchester Labour Students travelled to West Bromwich for a Labour Students & Unite the Union meeting about the Unite Working Students Campaign, promoting our links with the Trade Union movement and the excellent relationship Labour Students has with Unite.

Unite the Union is the biggest trade union in the UK with over 2 million members. It was formed through the merger of Amicus and TGQU in 2007.

Unite is trying to encourage students in work to join them to work for better rights and respect at work. As part of this, joining Unite costs only £10 per year for students and is well worth doing. You can join online through the Amicus section of Unite: http://www.amicustheunion.org/default.aspx?page=3136 and find more out about the campaign here: http://www.uniteworkingstudents.org/.

So if you’re a student in working, consider joining Unite today!

A Call For Sponsorship

2008-04-10T18:39:00.015+01:00

On the 13th of April, this Sunday, an estimated 55,000 professional athletes, first timers and fun runners will fulfil their training pledges and contend with the 26.2 miles that make the London Marathon - I am lucky enough to be one of them.

But this is no mean feat. Considerable effort is required on the day to ensure that the body is able to work at a physical peak and contend with the heavy pounding of the ground and the draining of energy that happens during a run. This can only be done through many weeks of dedicated training.

After running the Barnes Green Half Marathon last November I was bitten by the running bug and after recovering from a bad ankle injury I entered training immediately. Since that point, having followed diet guides and weekly training programmes comprising of short mid week runs and ever increasing long weekend runs, the final hurdle is entering into sight – the big day fast approaches.

But all the effort is well worthwhile to help raise funds for charity. London Marathon calculates that in 2002, £31million was raised for good causes. I am running to raise funds for Cancer ResearchUK, a fantastic charity working to eradicate a disease that is the cause of 54% of female deaths under 65 and affects a third of us in our lifetimes. To find out more and donate online please check out my fundraising website: www.runningsponsorme.org/matthewfright.

The London Marathon website informs me that I have 2 days 14 hours and 5 minutes until the start of the race so I’d best run (sorry for such a bad pun) and cajole some more cash before the big day. Good luck to all my fellow runners and I hope they enjoy the race.

NUS Conference 2008

2008-04-05T03:24:00.003+01:00

Well comrades I am writing this blog at a rather late hour. Why? Because for the last five days I and other dedicated Manchester Labour Students lived, breathed and sometimes had a little sleep in Blackpool. We were there as delegates from UMSUS and MMUnion and to campaign hard to elect Labour Students to the NEC.

And I have to tell you that we won! We and so many Labour Students from across the UK played our part in helping to elect Wes Streeting to National President. Wes is the first Labour Student to win the position in a number of years and won with a convincing share of the vote.

Also we elected three Labour Students to the Block of 12. Ed Marsh, Susan Nash and Hollie Williams were elected.

In policy debates so many good progressive motions were carried overwhelmingly by Conference floor. However in one major upset we lost the ratification on the Governance Review. I was gutted to see the proposals blocked but waking up the next day to campaign and elect a National President, pass progressive policy and elect a quarter of the block ensured that things got so much better after that setback.

What an intense, emotional and exciting week. What a time to be a Labour Student. What a time for you to join and get active in our local election campaigning this month and all the way til May 1st.

Changes to our Executive Committee

2008-04-01T17:04:00.003+01:00

Following the Students’ Union elections, Rob Pinfold resigned as Vice-Chair of Manchester Labour Students so he can fully concentrate on changing UMSU in his full-time newly elected role as General Secretary in the next academic year. I’m sure everyone on the Executive will join me in thanking Rob for all he has done on the Exec and wish him the very best as General Secretary.

In addition, Alex James resigned as Chair of Manchester Labour Students to allow him more time when he takes up his post as Humanities Faculty Officer on the UMSU Executive next year. He isn’t leaving our Exec however as in a special meeting of the club he was elected Vice-Chair.

Mike Joslin, who had done a fantastic job as Campaigns Officer, culminating with the electoral success of Rob and many others within UMSU, was elected the new Chair of Manchester Labour Students. Mike is renowned as someone with ardent dedication to what he believes in but perhaps best known for his amazing ability to have his bikes stolen.

Richard Neudegg, who was on the Block of 3 on the Executive, was elected as the new Campaigns Officer.

The current Executive’s term lasts until the club’s Annual General Meeting in November/December 2008. You can see our full Executive on our website.

"Incredible" Success for Labour Students at UMSU

2008-03-31T14:51:00.004+01:00

In addition to the successes at mmunion we had fantastic success further down the road at the University of Manchester Students’ Union (UMSU).

Manchester Labour Students were part of “The Incredibles” campaign, led by our then Vice-Chair, Rob “Mr. Incredible” Pinfold. If you were around campus at any point during the days of polling I’m sure you would have seen many boxes, banners and posters, all the results of hours of work put in to promote the campaign, managed by the then Campaigns Officer, Mike Joslin.

Manchester Labour Students had candidates in several seats and we were successful in every seat that we had someone standing, including 3 people elected to the UMSU Executive next year: Jason Holloway (Postgraduate and Mature Students' Officer), Alex James (Humanities Faculty Officer) and of course Rob Pinfold (General Secretary).

One of our Ex-Chairs, Matt Strong, is off with Alan to work at Labour Students HQ after being elected at Labour Students Annual Conference. Matt has been an invaluable force in our club throughout his time in Manchester, this year’s UMSU electoral success has no-doubt benefitted from his experience, advice and hours of work that he has put in.

It is the best result we have had in years and it gives UMSU a real chance of change for the better, a real chance for an Incredible Students’ Union!

Success for Labour Students at Manchester Met!

2008-03-29T19:23:00.003Z

Success for Labour Students at Manchester Met!

Manchester Met (mmunion) is the third largest Students’ Union in the UK and last month Labour Students stormed to victory in their Executive elections. The newly formed Labour Club already held two part-time positions on the Executive. Mature Students Officer and Club Chair, Alan Scobbie, is off to Labour Students HQ from June and he does so leaving behind Rob Boardman elected to the role of VP General Secretary. Rob will be the first Labour Students sabbatical officer at mmunion...ever! It was only four years ago that a former President of mmunion ran for NUS NEC as a candidate of Conservative Future. Manchester Labour Students have shown their commitment to building progressive values in both its redbrick heartland and the new universities.

Although mmunion lacks the political heat of the University of Manchester Students’ Union there has been a challenge from Student RESPECT in previous years. Last year RESPECT won a full time role and almost defeated incumbent sabbaticals. Following the work of Alan and Rob throughout the year a rainbow colour slate of candidates were elected without major opposition with Student RESPECT. The challenge now is for Rob and his team to breathe political activism into an apolitical environment.

With the support of Manchester Labour Students and Rob’s leadership, we are confident that mmunion will prosper into a progressive campaigning organisation in the local community and NUS.

The Big Idea for 2008: Child Poverty

2007-12-13T14:44:00.000Z

Despite the work of this government child poverty is still a major issue within British society with great wealth and inequality juxtaposed together in many places. In my home city of St Albans the ward of Sopwell has the world class Sopwell House Hotel traditionally the venue where FA Cup finalists stay prior to the match, yet 31% of under 16’s in the surrounding area live in poverty.

The Children’s Plan launched by Ed Balls earlier in the week sets an ambitious target of halving child poverty by 2010 and eradicating child poverty by 2020 tackling the core reasons behind child poverty such as housing. This government has a good record of investing money directly into projects through organisations such as The Children’s Fund, relieving some of the effects of child poverty, and these agencies should not be lost. It is good that the Children’s Plan aims to tackle the core issues behind child poverty, yet root and branch change is not going to help those who already live in poverty. We as a government should not only be tackling the causes of child poverty but going further for those who will not benefit from the Children’s Plan.

Alex James, Chair, Manchester Labour Students.

Labour the natural home for young people

2007-12-11T15:44:00.000Z

Labour launches new £1 rate for young people

Speaking at the launch, Dawn Butler, Vice Chair of the party said:

''I would say to any young person who feels strongly about social justice and equality, and to anyone that wants build a fairer society - that Labour is the Party for you''

''When you join the Party you won't be just a number – you will be part of a vibrant network of young people who share your values. As part of Young Labour you can make a difference in your local community and make your opinions heard at the very top of Government''

Young labour have also launched a new website at, www.younglabour.org.uk

Its time to make sure that the aspirations of young people are reflected in in Labour's policies in Government. So if you have a view whether it be on rights at work, raising the educational leaving age or simply on what young people can do to win for labour its time to . . . .

Join and make your voice heard

What is the big idea for 2008?

2007-12-11T01:17:00.000Z

Well its been a long year of many surprises. There has been the smooth transition from Blair to Brown and a change of Government... however has there been the much vaunted party renewal?

This debate was much talked about by Progress, Compass and all those spectators watching the Deputy Leadership election. However I'm not sure we really debated the future of the party during the Deputy Leadership election.

I have my own ideas about where we should be going as a party and I trust the Brown Government to take us there. The main problem as I see it is that the party membership don't really have that settled view. If anything the Deputy Leader contest showed excessive posturing by several candidates in an effort to court some sort of "soft" left vote. There was also an endless debate about what the role involved. Jon Cruddas advanced some interesting views on the Party Chair and certainly shared a vision that Hazel Blears has of a campaigning party. During the contest I support Hilary Benn for Deputy. I don't think he really addressed what New Labour is either. However he did present quite a warm, inspiring feeling among many Labour Students and party members. That did not win the election. Harriet Harman won her narrow victory on a mixed platform. There was talk of Iraq and other issues that have harmed Labour in the last few years. Much of this talk was of regret or of addressing the fundamental inequalities in our society.

This last point is where I see the future and indeed the present of our party. It takes me back to the old Harold Wilson quote that "this party is a moral crusade or it is nothing". Now the language may have changed but we all still believe in the need to change society to release the potential of all our citizens. Sound a little like what our Prime Minister has talked about since taking office?

So how do we release the potential of all our citizens? There have been several exciting announcements around education in the last few months. Also talk of a new constitutional settlement and a debate around British values. These areas along with a steady stream of solid policy announcements demonstrate why we are the party of government.

But this is not enough. We need to demonstrate what we mean by "the strength to change Britain". So what are the big idea that will dominate the political landscape of 2008?

Over to you.

Alan Scobbie, Chair MMU Labour Students

Should business promote social justice?

2007-10-13T17:34:00.000+01:00

Interesting article in this months progress about the role of business in promoting social justice. Here is an extract:

''By far the most important force obliging it to behave well is the government or international regulation. It is one of the paradoxes of the CBI state of mind that keeps clamouring for less ‘red tape’ and ‘regulation’, yet capitalism can only work well under the thumb of firm, fair and efficient government regulation. That’s why it never thrives where governments are weak and corrupt: Africa’s poverty exists because no one will invest in countries with governments that can’t guarantee basic property rights or enforce legal contracts.

The CBI resisted the minimum wage, predicting dire consequences. In fact most big companies with large low-paid workforces welcomed it - so long as it was strictly enforced on everyone. If all had to pay the same, there was a level playing field and it would drive out seedy employers engaging in unfair competition by paying below a fair wage.

Good government can and must regulate business for its own sake as well as everyone else’s. ‘Light touch regulation’ was not a good idea for the banking sector when Northern Rock went bust. Who saved the day? Government guarantees – let no one forget it. Out of control borrowing had to be rescued by the state and the taxpayer, but don’t hold your breathe for the Institute of Directors to recognise how much businesses of every kind rely on strong government and ‘red tape’.''

2007-10-13T17:21:00.001+01:00

Leader of Manchester City Council welcomes students to the city

Walking up and down Oxford Road, you can see the huge increase in the number of young people thronging the pavements as the Universities start their new academic year.
Manchester has one of the largest student populations in Europe, and many youngsters are living are away from home for the first time. To help them settle in, the Council has produced a special newspaper guiding them through Manchester's public transport, recycling, libraries to help them study and not forgetting the best entertainment scene in Britain!

This year alongside information-rich fridge magnets, there is a home pack with useful telephone numbers and reminders for when their bins get collected. Not only will they settle in quicker with all that helpful information, but they'll be better neighbours and play their part in creating strong communities.

Once you've studied in Manchester, the city keeps a special place in your heart and the Alumni Association here is one of the strongest. With former students like comedian Peter Kay, Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy and Amnesty International's Irene Khan, there are stars to aspire too. And now we are attracting eminent lecturers like Martin Amis in creative writing, world-renowned political scientist Robert Putnam and scientists like Enrique Amaya and his leading work on tissue regeneration, the role of the universities in driving the city's economy is even more pronounced.

Leaders blog

2007-10-13T17:02:00.000+01:00

Check out a new and exciting blog by Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester City Council. It charts the ongoing renaissance of Manchester.

As Gordon Brown said,

''If anyone is in any doubt the difference almost ten years of Labour government has made, let them come here to Manchester. And let us congratulate business, commerce and local government. From the tragedy of the bombing of the city centre Manchester's renewal has created thousands of new jobs, new businesses and new confidence. And I am proud, this is not just an achievement of Manchester this is an achievement of Labour Manchester''.

Manchester Labour for a safer city

2007-10-13T16:29:00.000+01:00

Security Lapses Uncovered On Campus

A COUNCILLOR last week slammed campus security arrangements after he managed to wander into student accommodation unchallenged.

Michael Amesbury managed to walk to the top of the Owens Park tower and into halls across university without being stopped by security.

The Labour Councillor claimed that he discovered a number of unlocked rooms – and could have walked in and stolen hundreds of pounds worth of expensive gadgets.

He went on his security-testing mission with campus Safety group campaigner Michael Joslin.
The concerned pair have written to the Vice-Chancellor Alan Gilbert requesting a review of security arrangements on campus.

They were last week in the process of putting together a petition to get security reviewed – and said over 600 people had signed it.

Councillor Michael Amesbury said he was shocked by the ease with which he could walk into halls of residence.

“My expectation was that I would be stopped by some kind of security. However some members of the student body were happily letting me in,” he said.

“We have had a number of very serious sex attacks just off the Fallowfield campus over the past couple of years.

“This is a very real threat to local students. It is very clear that the university needs to make a huge investment in security, particularly in CCTV.”

The Safety campaign was set up by Michael Joslin, a University of Manchester student.
Amesbury was positive that campus security could be improved. He highlighted the Local Action Partnership as a possible means to change the situation saying “Its up to the university to change the state of affairs.

“However, they currently chair the Local Action Partnership which encompasses the Fallowfield area and has city council representation. This partnership has the power to enhance local security.”

A spokesman from The University of Manchester said: “The complaints about security have stemmed from one individual, so the University has arranged to meet with this particular student on Friday.

“The student has been invited to meet with the Director of Sport, Trading and Residential Services, the Campus General Manager and the head of University Security to address his specific concerns. We have had no direct contact from any of the local councillors to express concern.”

North West Labour MEPs European forum 2007

2007-08-19T19:05:00.000+01:00

From protecting your rights at work, to tackling climate change, to protecting civil liberties, as socialists and social democrats it is clear that Europe does matter, which is why you might be interested in . . . . .

NORTH WEST LABOUR MEPs EUROPEAN FORUM 2007

Saturday 15th September 10am-2:30pm, Transport House, Salford, Lunch provided

''Migrant Workers in Europe: the New Underclass?''

Guest speaker: Jolente Szymanek-Deresz MP, Democratic Left Alliance, Poland

Chaired By Dave McCall, UNITE the Union

Workshops chaired by Gary Titley MEP, Arlene McCarthy MEP, Brian Simpson MEP

If you want to go email, arlene.mccarthy@easynet.co.uk

Manchester Labour club, winning back Withington, winning for Labour

2007-07-26T22:55:00.001+01:00

Campaign days to win back Withington on the afternoon of the 29th July and 25th August (followed by BBQ) for hungry labour club people.

For details of our excellent PPC, check out Lucy 4 Withington

Drop Adele an email on shestheone31@hotmail.com to find out more about details of the days or more about the campaign

Events with Manchester Fabians

2007-07-26T22:41:00.000+01:00

The Labour club are proud to work in conjuction with Greater Manchester Fabians. Their values of tolerance and democratic socialism are our values. So here are their latest events that a number of our exec should be at. Join the facebook group or email manchesterfabians@googlemail.com for more info

PUB NIGHT

Thursday 9th August, there will be a pub night 8:30pm-11:30pm at the Slug and Lettuce in Albert Square. A chance to debate labour politics, fabianism and have a good time as well!

TOUR OF PARLIAMENT

October 15th, there will be a tour of parliament very kindly organised by Neil Turner MP. Leave us a comment or drop an email if you are interestedin going.

Thanks, Adele, Chair Manchester Labour Students

Labour club alumni

2007-07-25T17:13:00.001+01:00

Just thought it would be fun to chart the careers of some now quite prominent ex labour club members.

Nick Brown MP

Nick Brown is now the MP for Newcastle upon Tyne East and is the Deputy Chief Whip as well as Minister for the North East. He is also well known for being a supporter of the British Humanist association.

Derek Draper

Derek Draper is a former lobbyist and one of the key brains behind the development of New Labour. He also set up and became director of the think tank Progress.

Liam Byrne MP

Liam Byrne is MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill after winning the 2004 by election. He was formerly the communications officer for Manchester Students Union. He is now a minister of state at the Home Office as well as minister for the West Midlands.

John Mann MP

John Mann is the MP for Bassetlaw and PPS to Tessa Jowell. He was previously a councillor in Lambeth and Chair of Labour Students from 1983-4, as well as a research officer for the AEEU. He also chaired the all parliamentary group against anti semitism.

Phil Woolas MP

Phil Woolas is the MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth as well as a minister of state at the Department of Enviroment, Food and Rural Affairs. He was previously President of Manchester University Students Union as well as a Labour Student President of NUS.

Cllr Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith has been a Councillor for Old Moat since 1997 and was previously the executive member for education on Manchester City Council. He was also the last ents officer for Manchester University Students Union.

Thanks!

2007-07-24T11:46:00.000+01:00

Title says it all really. A massive thanks to the labour club who went out and campaigned making the difference in the 2 recent by elections.

Labour wins in Ealing Southall . . . .

Matt and Alex from the club exec are on the back row at the left out campaigning with the candidate Virendra Sharma and were joined by Kenny Young and Richard Angell, the chairs of labour students and Young Labour.

Labour wins in Sedgefield . . . . .

Adele is on the left, with other members of the NW region and Young Labour outside possibly the countries most famous labour club!!

By election related fun

2007-07-01T18:53:00.000+01:00

Ealing Southall
Tom Watson is running this so its sure to be a slick, organised and fun filled campaign! Join the campaign group on facebook. Campaigning will be taking place every day. Please get in touch with the Campaign Office if you would like to come along and they will let you know details of where to meet and how to get there.It would be really useful if we could get a big group young activists to come along and campaign over the next two weekends 7th/8th & 14th/15th. This is the best place to go if you are based in the south.

Sedgefield
This is a traditional labour seat that we must retain. Once again if you are based in the North there will be continuous campaigning for the next 3 weeks. However, the biggie will be the North West trip up there on 7th/8th July. Accomodation, transport e.t.c will be provided by regional office. And I'm sure their will be the chance for a few beers with the locals!

Email manchesterlabourclub@googlemail.com if you can help out with either by election. I will be on the Sedgefield trip!

Thanks Adele, Chair Manchester Labour Students

Winning back Withington!!

2007-07-01T18:42:00.000+01:00

Manchester Withington is our nearest marginal seat and now we have selected a young enthusiastic candidate in Lucy Powell, its time for the labour club to get stuck in!

Read about Lucy here

Withington quiz

Join Manchester Labour Party and kick off the Withington campaign in style with a quiz. £3 per person, 8pm, Wednesday 4th July, Albert Tennis Club West Didsbury. Contact James Donoghue for details, james.donoghue@student.manchester.ac.uk

Campaign day

Saturday 14th July is the national labour party campaign day and Manchester Withington is our nearest marginal so no need to travel. There will be loads to do for those who have never been campaigning and old hacks alike! Get in touch on manchesterlabourclub@googlemail.com and we'll give you the details

Co-op solidarity!

2007-07-01T17:53:00.000+01:00

Co-op film night

Tuesday 10th, 8pm, C0-op rooms, corner of Barlow Moor road and Hardy Lane

Come and join the Co-op for a film night featuring coverage of the 1992 Chorlton by election. It will also feature behind the secenes at Unicorn Grocery as well as fair trade refreshments.

Check out the Withington Co-op blog for more info

Reform of young labour

2007-06-18T11:34:00.000+01:00

At the youth hustings a consultation was launched over the reform of young labour. It is really important that you all get involved in this. As young people we are the future of the party and change is vital.

Check out www.stephaniepeacock.com for more info, Steph is the Young Labour rep on the NEC and is leading the consultation

Click here to fill in the questionaire

Facebook

2007-06-07T16:52:00.000+01:00

We now have a new fabulous Manchester Labour Club facebook group, where there is lots of info about the club and you can easily contact all of the exec.

Its really easy to join, just set up a profile at www.facebook.com and click on the link above to join the group.

Upcoming events

2007-05-28T00:18:00.000+01:00

Wednesday 30th May
Labour club exec - 4pm. All executive members should now be aware of this, apologies to me if you can't attend.

Thursday 31st May
Manchester Deputy leadership hustings
6pm, TUC Mechanics institute, meet Jon Cruddas MP for an informal chat. 7:45pm, hustings at friends meetinmg house on Mount street.

Now till June 14th
Campaigning in Charlestown by election. Plenty to do and you can phone canvass from home if you like. Let me know if you want to help.

Thursday June 7th
Greater Manchester Fabians pub night. 8:30pm-11:30pm, Slug and Lettuce, Albert Square.

Manchester Labour club endorses Hilary Benn

2007-05-28T00:15:00.000+01:00

Last week Manchester University Labour Club voted to endorse Hilary Benn to be the next Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. It was a good debate with good points made by all and we wish all the candidates the very best of luck.

Interesting events on Thursday 31st May

2007-05-21T22:09:00.000+01:00

There are a couple of interesting events coming up that you may be interested in. They are both on the evening of Thursday 31st May.

1)Some of us will be going to the Greater Manchester Fabians pub night. It is on Thursday 31st May, 8pm at the Slug and Lettuce pub in Albert Square. Email manchesterfabians@googlemail.com for more info

2)That same night there will be a deputy leadership hustings open to all Labour Party members in Manchester. This has been organised by Manchester Central CLP in conjuction with Tony Lloyd MP. All candidates have been invited by Tony and will attend either in person or send a member of their campaign team. This will be in the main hall, Friends meeting house, Mount Street, 7:45pm. Let me know if you want to attend.

Cheers, Adele, Chair Manchester Labour Students

Meeting this week

2007-05-21T21:55:00.000+01:00

The deputy leadership contest is hotting up and its time to play our part in debating the future of the party.

This Wednesday the labour club will be taking part in a video conference call with Hilary Benn MP. We are meeting at 4:15pm in the Chemistry cafe on Brunswick street just off Oxford Road. This will be a really exciting opportunity to put your questions to Hilary on everything from the state of the party to his time at International Development.

This will be followed by a meeting to debate and vote on who the club endorses for Deputy Leader. We will be meeting at 5PM in MR2 upstairs in Manchester University Students Union on Oxford Road. It would be great to see as many people there as possible to have there say. This will be our last formal meeting of the year, though subject to demand there may well be an informal get together/curry!!

The candidates on the ballot paper are

Hilary Benn http://www.benn4deputy.org/

''We need to take young people more seriously, as political activists. We need to trust young people more as they debate issues.

And we need to open up our party to young voters and treat them as a respected part of the electorate.

We need to put aside the patronising belief that young people only care about “youth issues”, like climate change or Make Poverty History''

Hazel Blears http://www.hazelblears.com

''We must appeal to the 'facebook' generation. We need a renewed effort to encourage more young members, building on, respecting the traditions, and maintaining the independence of Labour Students, Young Fabians and trade union youth sections. We need as a priority a dedicated youth officer at Labour HQ, and more support for Labour Students in establishing new Labour Clubs and maintaining existing ones. We need a new Labour Academy to train young people in political organisation and ideas. We need a major emphasis on the party's youth work championed from the top.''

Jon Cruddas http://www.joncruddas.org.uk/

Peter Hain http://www.hain4labour.org/

Harriet Harman http://www.harrietharman.org/

Alan Johnson http://www.johnson4deputy.org/

Local elections

2007-05-21T21:43:00.000+01:00

Just to say a big thankyou to everyone who helped with the local elections both in Manchester and across the North West. As well as the fabulous people that travelled to Scotland and Wales to campaign. Your efforts are massively appreciated. In Manchester we did really well holding on to all our seats and I know that the efforts of the labour club really made the difference, so thank you.

Result of the night had to be Fallowfield, where we trounced the liberal democrats by over 700 votes. Just goes to show that the work we have done on campus all year as well as the hard work that went into the campaign does make a difference.

Also, I think the whole labour club would like to join in saying an extra special well done to Rosa Battle who won in Bradford with a massive majority. Its great to see more young people particuarly women on the council and Rosa has done a lot to develop young people within Manchester Labour.

See below for a few memories of the campaign

Adele, Matt and Alan on the campaign trail in Chorlton with Lord Bradley and Lucy Powell (Manchester Withington's PPC)

The Labour club campaigning for Andrew Simcock in Withington

Your NHS: Better off with Labour

2007-04-25T19:58:00.000+01:00

Labour have launched a new campaign website to demonstrate how your NHS is better off with Labour. Check it out at:

http://www.betterwithlabour.co.uk/

At the Launch of the campaign the Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said;

''In the United Kingdom, the NHS provides universal healthcare to everyone, free at the point of need. It is one of the fairest health systems in the world (not just in my view, but also according to the OECD) – and the institution that people are most likely to name when asked what makes them proud to be British.''

Made by Labour, Wrecked by the tories and Saved again by Labour:
Nearly 60 years ago, a Labour Government created the NHS, based on need rather than ability to pay. However, 18 years of Tory underinvestment in the NHS saw the poorest people receiving the poorest treatment. In 1997, Labour quite literally had 24 hours to save the NHS. 9 years later, there are 32 000 more doctors, 85 000 more nurses, investment has doubled and labour remains committed to an NHS that is free at the point of need, irrespective of wealth.

The tories voted against all of Labour's extra investment in the NHS and today they would cut £21 billion from public spending putting your NHS at risk. Sign our petition to tell the tories that you won't stand for their NHS cuts.

The big plan for a massive Labour victory

2007-04-23T17:19:00.000+01:00

The campaign plan has been written and we have plenty planned for you. There will be stuff going on in Manchester all the time (let us know if you want to get involved with that); but here are the special days out that we have planned for you.

Call me (Adele, Chair Manchester Labour Students) on 07810 011771 or email shestheone31@hotmail.com, if you can make any of these days. We always have a laugh and go out in a big group. We tend to leave Mid Morning and arrive back Mid afternoon and transport is always provided.

THURSDAY
Bury North, a key marginal authority where the tories are looking to take control

FRIDAY
Burnley, fighting the racist BNP

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
If you are not too tired, then there will be key seat campaigning in some of Manchester's most marginal wards.

MONDAY
Wigan, keeping one of our flagship councils Labour

TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY
Key seat campaigning in Scotland, email Matt for this one at matthew.t.strong@gmail.com

POLLING DAY
Manchester, where we will be fighting in highly marginal wards to make sure that our fantastic progressive Labour council stays firmly Labour

The story so far

2007-04-23T17:08:00.000+01:00

This Saturday a group of our members led by Matt Strong went key seat campaigning for the Welsh Assembly. They went to the key marginal of Wrexham to campaign for Lesley Griffiths. Wales is a key battle ground where it is a clear choice between Labour's delivery, which will see precription charges abolished, 130 000 more people in work as well as keeping top up fees out of Wales. Compare that with the prospect of an opposition led coalition, where it is tory votes that will make the decisions for the people of Wales.

Exciting campaigning news coming very soon

2007-04-19T00:21:00.000+01:00

In fact the campaign plan is being written as we speak. We have been working hard to ensure that the next few weeks is a successfull one for labour and an enjoyable one for you guys. In the next couple of days you will get an affirmative guide as to how we plan to keep the Lib Dems at bay in Manchester. As well as what will undoubtedly be some amazingly fun trips around some of the tightest authorities in the North West. The idea is that you give as little or as much time as you want to. And if you have never been campaigning before, now is your chance!!

Report back from NUS conference

2007-04-05T22:16:00.000+01:00

Well firstly it was very fun and very tiring; but most of all we returned proud to be members of labour students and to have had the chance to put our values into practise. Matt, Rob and Mike were there representing Manchester University Students Union.

Policy passed by conference
This year conference was fairly sensible and passed some excellent policy to take our national union forward.

Targeted Grants - This year conference voted by a massive majority to concentrate the funding that we have available on the students that need it the most.

Governance review - Conference voted for a full governance review, opening up NUS to its members and making its structures more accesible.

EUMC definition of anti semitism - Conference voted to allow jewish students to define what anti semitism is and to support them to drive it out of our national union.

Conference also passed excellent policy on how to campaign for a free and fairly funded education, how our union can take a lead on issues such as climate change and Darfur as well as reaffirming and extending our no platform for racists policy.

Elections

I am proud to say that both Benedict and Katie got elected onto the block of 12. I know that they will both do a good job whether it be on activities, diversity, winning for mature students and a whole host of other things.

I'm also proud to announce that Wes Streeting got re-elected to be the NUS VP Higher Education officer next year. I'm sure he'll do a great job and make our education both responsive and truly focussed on the battles that lie ahead and the fights that we can win.

Unfortunately Richard just missed out on winning VP Welfare. He'd have done a fab job; but we all worked hard on his campaign and we thank him for everything he has done to advance labour values in the student movement.

Thankyou

2007-03-26T00:48:00.000+01:00

Thankyou to all members of Labour Students in Manchester who came out and campaign in wards in Manchester this weekend. We had lots of people out working hard, which was great to see.

I know that Manchester Labour really appreciate all the hard work that you are putting in and I personally couldn't be more proud.

This next month will be a big push campaigning wise in Manchester and myself and the Campaigns and membership officer will be getting in touch to let you know what needs doing.

Thanks again guys, you really are making a massive difference.

Adele, Chair Manchester Labour Students

Communicating what we have been up to recently

2007-03-26T00:31:00.000+01:00

The Labour club out campaigning in Burnley with Kitty Ussher MP to stop the BNP and get the labour vote out.

Adele, Steve, Matt and Mike out campaigning for Lesley Griffiths who is Labour candidate for the Welsh Assembly in Wrexham.

Your new Labour Students team

2007-03-26T00:16:00.000+01:00

NEC Youth rep - Stephanie Peacock

Steph was previously the chair of West Midlands Young Labour and Young Labour womens officer. Check out her website, http://www.steph4nec.co.uk/ Steph is the person to talk to in terms of getting the voice of Young Labour and Labour Students heard on the NEC.

National Chair - Kenny Young

Kenny has been Chair of Scottish Labour Students and is a candidate for the Scottish parliament in North East Fife.

Rob Newman - National Secretary

Rob was previously Chair of Welsh Labour students.

Emily Richards - Campaigns and Membership officer

Emily has previously been the Womens officer for Labour Students and the chair of Oxford Labour club.

Well done to all those concerned. I'm sure that this year will see Labour students become even more diverse, focused and successfull than it already is.

NUS conference

2007-03-25T23:45:00.000+01:00

This week, NUS conference is taking place. This is where we elect the NEC to run the national union for the next year, set campaign priorities and pass policy. In terms of the student union movement it doesn't get any more important.

Mike Joslin, Rob Pinfold and Matt Strong have been elected to go as delegates from Manchester. Adele and Alex are going to help run the Labour Students campaign to get some of our people elected to the NEC.

We are incredibly proud of the role that Labour Students play in NUS. Never hiding from our politics because NUS and the Labour movement share the same values of equality, democracy and collectivism. For me, being a Labour Student is about working with integrity and honesty; wearing our politics publicly so that students can hold us to account. Being proud of achievements such as the minimum wage; but being unreserved in our criticism when the Government get things wrong. Thats what it means to be a Labour Student in NUS.

We are running Katie Curtis and Benedict Pringle for the Block of 12. Both are fantastic student officers who have won for students time and time again.

Wes Streeting is standing for re-election for VP Education. He is one of the most talented and hardworking student officers I have ever met. This year he has reinvigorated the education campaign fighting on issues such as access and keeping the cap. Issues that really matter to students.

Wes says, ''I want to see NUS punching its weight again, not just fighting the good fight for the sake of it, but winning on the right fights; reviving, developing and enhancing our reputation within our movement and across the education sector as the authoritative voice for students and a powerful catalyst for change''.

Check out his website at www.wes4vped.org.uk
Wes has previously been on the block of 12 and held the NUT scholarship as well as being President of Cambridge Students Union.

Richard Angell is standing for VP Welfare. Richard is someone that has fought and actually won on so many key issues as a Student officer. Supporting student involvement in the trade union movement as holder of the NUT scholarship. Winning £82.5m for the student community through his lobbying of the Lyons enquiry. Stopping cutbacks on campuses. And taking on the Tory-Lib dem coalition that run Birmingham over their shamefull negelect of student housing.

However, Richard is the only candidate that can win on the future fights that NUS faces in terms of student welfare. An end to unfair prescription charges, reforming the TV licence system, defending student rights and delivering a Welfare campaign that works.

Richard says, ''Student Welfare is at the heart of our movement, supporting our members in every aspect of their lives – at home, in the workplace, in the wider world. Our campaigns can and do make our members' lives better. That's why it's vital that we get our priorities right.

NUS has many big wins under its belt but whilst students still live in shoddy privatised accommodation, wait weeks for appointments at GUM clinics and face exploitation at work, the fight goes on.''

Check out his website at www.voteangell.org.uk Richard has previously been President of Birmingham Guild and on the NUS block of 12.

Success for Labour club members in Student Union elections

2007-03-25T23:40:00.000+01:00

A big well done to the following Labour club members who have been elected to sit on union council next year. A lot of hard work was put in by all concerned; but special thanks go to exec members Matt Strong and Mike Joslin who ran the campaign.

Rob Pinfold - NUS secretary

Mike Joslin - Disabled students secretary

Alex James - Arts, histories and culture rep

Introducing the Manchester Labour Club Executive

2007-03-25T21:41:00.000+01:00

Chair - Adele Reynolds

The Chair is responsible for overseeing the day to day running of the club and are an outside point of contact for Manchester Labour and North West regional office. They are also in charge of liasing with Labour Students head office and looking after the delegation at Labour Students national events. They are expected to lead the exec and are in charge of Freshers Fayre. The chair is also responsible for organising the local election campaign in conjuction with the Campaigns and Membership officer.

Adele is a 2nd year Politics and Modern History student. She was Vice Chair of the club last year and is also the Vice Chair of Manchester Gorton CLP and the Manchester Labour Party youth officer. Adele is an AMICUS member.

Favourite Labour policy:
Tax credits and the New Deal, which has lifted millions out of poverty and helped them back into work. Don't ever let anyone tell you that politics doesn't matter. Policies like that, literally change lives.

Political Hero:
Too Many to mention; but it would have to be Graham Stringer. Under Thatcher Manchester was brought to its knees, with poverty and unemployment rife. As leader of the council Graham pioneered the regeneration of Manchester and turned it into a place where people want to live, work and have fun.

Vice Chair - Rob Pinfold

The Vice Chair is responsible for assisting the Chair, mainly with Labour Party campaigning, co-ordinating freshers fayre and engagement in Student politics. They are also responsible for both chairing meetings and being an outside point of contact when the chair is unavailable.

Rob is a 1st year politics student and a member of Manchester Gorton CLP. He was active in Nottingham Labour Party before he came to Manchester and worked for Alan Simpson MP. He was elected by UMSU members as NUS secretary where he is responsible for working with the Communications Officer to co-ordinate Manchester's involvement in NUS. Rob is a member of the GMB.

Favourite Labour policy:

Political Hero:

Secretary - Steve Howse

The Secretary is essentially responsible for the administration of the club, booking rooms, facilitating speakers and taking the minutes as well as sending out emails. Pretty much everything the club does has to be run past the secretary.

Steve is a 1st year BA Econ student and is originally from the North East. He is a member of AMICUS as well as Manchester Central CLP and his political passions include education policy and equalities legislation.

Favourite Labour policy:

Political hero:

Treasurer - Tom Miller

The treasurer basically has to keep the accounts in order and make sure that club members are reimbursed for expenses where possible. They are responsible for fundraising and deal with the trade union movement for this purpose.

Tom is a 3rd year Law and politics student. He is a member of Manchester Withington CLP and is the Young Fabians regions officer. Tom's political interests include how to renew the party as well as Tony Lloyd's voting record. Tom blogs over at newer labour.

Favourite Labour policy:
The minimum wage, which has given low earning people across the country a chance to get back more of what they deserve for the work they put in, as well as having a massive impact on alleviating poverty and inequality over the last ten years

Political Hero: Clement Attlee. He perfectly balanced power and radicalism within the exigencies of the situation.

Campaigns and Membership Officer - Mike Joslin

The campaigns and membership officer is firstly responsible for recruitment of members. This involves them organising year round recruitment as well as working with the Chair to co-ordinate freshers fayre. They are also in charge of running the campaign to get our candidates elected to positions within the students union. They work with the Chair to co-ordionate the local election campaign.

Mike is a 1st year politics and international relations student. Before coming to Manchester he was active in Kingston Labour Party and is working on Jon Cruddas's deputy leadership campaign. He is a member of Manchester Gorton CLP and is heavily involved in Manchester University debating society. Mike has also been elected by UMSU members to be Disabled Students secretary.

Favourite Labour policy:

Political Hero:

Man Met link officer - Alan Scobbie

The Man Met link officer is responsible for setting up and building a Labour club at Manchester Metropolitan University. Their job is to link Labour in the two universities together. They also take responsibility for running the campaign to get our candidates elected to Man Met students union.

Alan is a 2nd year politics student. Before coming to Manchester, Alan lived in Edinburgh and was active in the Labour Party there. He is the current gay rights officer at Man Met and is also the political education officer for Old Moat Ward. He is on Labour Students national committee as a member of the Block of 7. Alan is an AMICUS member.

Favourite Labour policy:

Political hero:

Officer without portfolio - Alex James

The officer without portfolio basically assists the other officers with the running of the club. Mainly in terms of Student union involvement and Labour campaigning in Manchester.

Alex is a 1st year PMH student and a member in Manchester Central CLP. His interests include coaching football and thinking about how amazing Hilary Benn is! He was elected by UMSU members to be a rep for the school of Arts, histories and cultures.

Favourite Labour policy:

Political hero:

Political education officer - Matt Strong

The political education officer is responsible for sorting out speakers and facilitating discussion about the political direction of the club on campus.

Matt is a 2nd year politics and social policy student. Before coming to Manchester he was active in Welsh Labour and played a massive role in getting Jessica Morden elected as MP for Newport East. He is the chair of Withington ward and their current agent. He was last year's chair of Manchester Labour students. Matt is on NUS mature students national commitee as well as being the Labour Students publicity officer. Matt is an AMICUS member.

Favourite Labour policy:

Political hero:

Welcome

2007-03-25T21:29:00.000+01:00

Hello and thanks for visiting our website. Make sure you check out the side bar for details of what events we have coming up. We are an active society committed to Labour values. We are never afraid to criticise the Government when we feel it is wrong, but we remain proud party members committed to fighting for social justice. There has never been a more important time to get involved in the Labour movement and make a difference. In Manchester where a Labour council is transforming not just our city; but the lives of many of the poorest people in society. Also in Wales and Scotland where devolved power has proved a catalyst for massive social change. Don't hesitate to get involved and contact one of the exec or email us at manchesterlabclub@yahoo.com

All the best, Adele, Chair Manchester University Labour Club

World Aids Day

2006-12-03T16:58:00.000Z

As Treasurer, I am pleased to announce our purchase (wow!) of... a table! yay!

You may have seen us or even talked to us behind said table for World Aids Day. If you bought a ribbon, thank you: we raised £50 for the Terrence Higgins trust, and got loads of signatures for a petition to extend free Adis treatment.

All the best, and thank you

Tom Miller
MULC

Keep Burnley Fascist Free

2006-11-20T23:12:00.000Z

As Labour people, we believe passionately in equal rights for all. We believe that every citizen has the right to be treated with respect and that discrimination in all its forms is wrong. However, there are some that do not share these values; in fact they threaten their very existence.

The BNP, with their divisive message are gaining electoral successes in some areas, particularly in the North West. That's why Labour Students have planned a campaign weekend in Burnley on 2-3 December to ensure that the local residents are aware of the positive work that Labour is doing in their area.

There will be free accommodation, free food and a very fun social on the Saturday night! Please do come along and help limit the BNP threat in the North West.

If you would like to make Burnley fascist free, then please email kiran_mahil@new.labour.org.uk or call 0207 7831381 to confirm your attendance, no later than Monday 27th November.

Everybody is welcome, don't worry if you've never been campaigning before, there will be a full briefing and lots of people there to answer any questions you have!

Hope to see you there.

Kiran Mahil

National Secretary, Labour Students.

Pro- choice demo, National Council

2006-11-09T12:46:00.000Z

On Monday, we will be electing delegates for Labour Students National Council at 5pm in MR1 of the Students' Union building. If anybody would like to stand they're quite entitled to as long as they're a fully paid up member of the club. National Council takes place in London on the weekend of the 9th/10th of December and is one of two policy setting Labour Students national events and we are entitled to send two delegates (one of which must be a female). It'd be great to see people again and it's your chance to elect somebody you feel will represent our views on a national level.

Also, Adele (our vice-chair and acting women's officer) led the club's presence at the pro-choice demo outside the students' union yesterday, as you can see from pictures we got of the event. it's really important to get people out there in favour of the right to choose.

Manchester Labour club: In the community

2006-11-03T15:47:00.000Z

Dear all,

Many of you will have heard of the successful 'Labour Students In The Community Day' which our then club chair, and now Labour Students' National Secretary, Kiran Mahil organised last year. It was an incredibly successful event in which we managed to show that not all students follow the stereotype of being lazy and unwilling to help out their community.

As a result, Adele (our current vice-chair) has worked hard to organise a similar event for next weekend.

LABOUR STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY 2006 - SATURDAY 11TH NOVEMBER

Morning Session - Fallowfield

- Tidy up of the area outside Fallowfield Library. Meet at 10am outside Owens Park.

Afternoon session - Whalley Range - TARGET SEAT

-Leaflet drop in Whalley Range. Meeting point to be confirmed later next week.

Evening session

- Young Labour/Labour Students social (8pm till late) at Font Bar on Oxford Road. This is right by Oxford Road train station. N.B first hour will be for the womens network to meet under the theme of 'Ladies in Red'. After that all welcome.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible, as it would be great to promote our club as a hard working body of students not afraid to muck in and help their local community.

Any questions, please ask or give me a ring on 0771 6953828.

Many thanks,
Matt Strong
Chair, Manchester Labour Club