The socialist candidate fighting for Funding Not Fees!
Manifesto Question Responses
Why are you running to be an Officer?
I am running in this election on a socialist, anti-cuts, anti-war platform. If elected, I aim to create a guild that will lead the fight in campaigning for free education on a national level, as well as for grants instead of loans and rent caps in student accommodation. I aim to fight for not only students, but also guild workers by supporting the ongoing guild unionisation campaign. I also aim to expand the night bus to ensure that every student has a safe, reliable way home.
What qualities would you bring to the role?
In running for a guild officer role, I aim to fight for the rights of both students and workers by fighting for free education, expanding nightbus routes, and supporting the guild unionisation campaign among other things. I believe that these ideas should not just be limited to the university campus alone. This is why I am prepared to donate a significant amount of my income as a guild officer to supporting socialist movements which align with my values.
What would be your top 4 priorities, if you were elected?
Fight for Free Education -
The recent rise in tuition fees is one of the most pressing issues we are facing as students. I firmly believe young people should not have to take on mountains of debt simply to get an education. Universities are going through a financial crisis that can only be solved by full funding from the government, not just pushing the burden onto us. As Guild Officer I will fight not only against further fee rises, but for free education and the scrapping of tuition fees as a whole!
Additionally, students are suffering the brunt of the current cost of living crisis, as maintenance loans often fail to cover our basic essentials whilst plunging us into more debt down the line. I will use my position as Guild Officer to expand student bursaries, making them more accessible to those who need them.
Support Unionisation for Guild Workers -
The Guild hires roughly 230 staff, both permanent career staff, and part time student staff. They serve you food and drink, keep the space clean, and make sure that society events can run. However, with the increasing cuts to universities and student unions, the rights of these workers are not fully protected via a trade union branch of it's own. My pledge is to support the ongoing campaign to unionise the guild, putting the rights of it's commercial staff first, ensuring better hours, better pays, and better protections.
Expand the Nightbus Routes -
Years ago, a campaign was started to reinstate the night bus. After years of campaigning, it was finally reinstated, going through Smithdown road and other areas in the south of Liverpool, ensuring that those who live there can get home safely. However, it does not go into areas such as Kensington, the north of Liverpool and the Wirral. My pledge is that I will fight to expand the night bus routes to go into these areas, and increase the intervals from every hour to every half hour, so that every student can get home safely.
Financial Transparency from the Uni -
The university should be transparent about where it gets its money from, and who it gives it to. The recent phenomenon of cuts to jobs and courses at universities across the UK emphasises the need for financial transparency. The University should therefore open its financial records to both workers and students. Universities should have no part in war or arms sales, and students' fees should not be used to fund it either.