#NUCADefects

Rumour has it that the recently elected NUCA President and Treasurer have defected to Labour. An anonymous source says they had "known of Jenny and Alex's socialists tendencies for a while". Ironically it has also been said Beth O'dell may defect to the Tories to counter weight their move. Beth said this "has been a running joke anyway" so will fulfil the balance.

Champagne Socialists

#NUCAElects

So last night was the NUCA AGM where we got together to vote on the new officers. I stood as Treasurer but to cut a long story short I didn't win :-( . At least the next best person in my opinion did so and that was Alex Bright.

Here are the candidates for the positions (Ronald Reagan is R.O.N. (Re-Open Nominations):

President: JennyWhoJenny, Ronald Reagan

Vice President: the Shah of Iran (Shoaib), Sgt Major Billingham (Jamie), Ronald Reagan

Treasuerer: #ThingsElliottSays, Brighty (Alex), Ronald Reagan

Gen Sec: Henry 'pork scratchings' Lougher, Ronald Reagan

Publicity: Andy Philips (inventor of the screwdriver), Anastasia Romanov, Ms Union Flag (Lisa), Ronald Reagan

There was no stupid STV, AV, PR, Liberal Democrat fix nonsense just plain one man one vote. No2AV. 

So what happened. Let's do the whole story aided by Twitter once again.

Jenny gave the annual accounts report that lasted about 30 seconds. Alex was not happy.

Alex also announced how unhappy he was when he heard that only Jenny was standing for President. Beth from Labour would have made a better President in his opinion.

People were really looking forward to the speeches and results even from outside NUCA. Stephen Canning was watching in. Stephen and I both live in the East, and as a current member of the Eastern Region Executive I have experience that may help him if chosen to be Eastern Chair. Hint, Hint Stephen. 

We started late, for some reason. Maybe we were waiting for the peeps from Trent who never showed up.

So first the race for Publicity started and not much happened, on twitter at least, except we slated the incumbent Jack Walker. 

 Also at this time lots of Cameronite buzz words were being dropped, including the nasty party one. #Shame for quoting Dave.

Luc was internationally shunned by all, except Andy and I, yesterday for talking about campaigning constantly. He asked the questioned every time. Let's go Campaign NUCA.

Then It was my turn, with the speeches for Treasurer taking place. I was highly recommended last night for my Policies.

Luc was also a big fan of my speech.

That's just hyperbole Luc. It was only 8. But although people said my speech was very funny, for me the funniest election speech was for that of Vice President because of Shoaib saying some very suggestive things. Shoaib wanted an events (naked) calendar and promised to help 'break in the freshers' next year. 

Shoaib also couldn't stand still and was seemingly wandering across the room in a very exaggerated style of Dave. He should have rolled up his sleeves too. 

A question which was often asked was then given. Who would you replace Dave with as Prime Minister? The best answer by far was Jamie's, who said William Hague. The only HS2 I'll support. A safe but sound position. Everyone else said Boris! What! I think Boris is competent but he is a totally populist politician and would devalue our party.

Jenny then spoke in her election for President. She had quite a hefty Ronald Reagan Rebellion with 11 votes, although if I remember rightly she did say to me once that she would never vote for herself and so would R.O.N. it. Jenny also said she didn't like the Tory Boy image, funnily enough one of her most used phrases though is Yah.

But just before the Results were announced there was a News Flash from Alex.

Nice.

 So the Results were then announced and this is the new committee:

President: Jenny

Vice Chairman: Jamie

Treasurer: Alex

General Secretary: Henry

Publicity: Andy

The New Committee

So that's the report of the AGM. I wish the committee well, I think they'll do a good job. It's good to see that everyone reads my Blog in NUCA as they were all asking to feature in some way.

Update

Jenny says she doesn't use 'Yah' that much, but she hasn't heard herself.

Hollow Victory

Well the referendum on pro choice didn't get enough votes in total to pass. I'm not surprised. There were 510 No votes 809 Yes and 102 Abstains. In total 1421 people voted, 3400 people were needed to make the referendum binding pass. This really proves my point that most people thought that this motion was pointless as there was a large number of abstentions and most people thought it was pointless to vote.

Results of the Referendum in graph format

Now we should just leave this motion, clearly nobody wants it. Those who voted for it were mostly the Women's Network and those who voted against were mostly Cathsoc and other religious groups. Despite attempts to broaden it out to people, there was no interest. Just because yes got a few votes more than no doesn't mean there is a mandate, only 2% of students want it.

However it looks like the Women's Network are going to take it back to council. They're not very happy with democracy and want to force it upon us all again. When will this drama end.

This referendum was never really about abortion. If it were the Women's Network would be lobbying the law makers not an educational body. It is just internal politics. Some people in the Women's Network need to be seen to be launching a crusade for what they see is right and make sure it is thrust upon everyone. Well I'm not interested in internal SU politics and the elitist democracy. Just over 3% of people voted in this referendum. That is less than the percentage of the nobility in Tsarist Russia in the total population.

SU motions just seem to be brought forward by the SU population for members who have close links to the SU to vote upon. The SU is judge, jury, attorney general and all the court officials deciding on a particular case.  

Nobody was really infused by this referendum, including me. But one day something even more controversial will be put to a referendum and will result in a resounding vote against the vested interests in the SU. Then they'll realise how stupid they are and won't try internal politics ever again. Students get on with their lives at Nottingham whilst an SU nobody cares about tries to be controlling. Not good.

So if you're reading and you're from the SU don't allow this stupid thing to continue any longer the more it does the more students will hate you. You've already really upset, to the case of tears, certain members of the student body, don't disenfranchise anybody else. 

Poster seemingly representing student's views of their SU

The Queens Speech

I'm going to go through the Queens Speech and tell you what I think about its points. I'll highlight In green anything good, red bad and orange stuff I'm ambivalent about or would like to know more details. i'll be adding comments in these []

My Government’s legislative programme will continue to focus on building a stronger economy so that the United Kingdom can compete and succeed in the world.

It will also work to promote a fairer society that rewards people who work hard.

My Government’s first priority is to strengthen Britain’s economic competitiveness. To this end, it will support the growth of the private sector and the creation of more jobs and opportunities. [Seems suspiciously like stimulus to me.]

My Ministers will continue to prioritise measures that reduce the deficit – ensuring interest rates are kept low for homeowners and businesses.

My Government is committed to building an economy where people who work hard are properly rewarded. It will therefore continue to reform the benefits system, helping people move from welfare to work.

Measures will be brought forward to introduce a new Employment Allowance to support jobs and help small businesses. [This is essentially a tax cut for £2,000 off NI for small businesses.]

A Bill will be introduced to reduce the burden of excessive regulation on businesses A further Bill will make it easier for businesses to protect their intellectual property.

A draft Bill will be published establishing a simple set of consumer rights to promote competitive markets and growth.

My Government will introduce a Bill that closes the Audit Commission. [Hardly a bonfire of the qangos but a good start.]
My Government will continue to invest in infrastructure to deliver jobs and growth for the economy. [I'm not against infrastructure spending but there must be a good business model for it, one which prima face will seem good is super high speed broadband.]

Legislation will be introduced to enable the building of the ‘High Speed Two’ railway line, providing further opportunities for economic growth in many of Britain’s cities. [HS2 is just stimulus, no one will use it and will cost tens of billions more than predicted.]

My Government will continue with legislation to update energy infrastructure and to improve the water industry. [Again infrastructure caveat but even more so in energy as it is likely to be building wind turbines.]

My Government is committed to a fairer society where aspiration and responsibility are rewarded.

To make sure that every child has the best start in life, regardless of background, further measures will be taken to improve the quality of education for young people.

Plans will be developed to help working parents with childcare, increasing its availability and helping with its cost.

My Government will also take forward plans for a new National Curriculum, a world class exam system and greater flexibility in pay for teachers. [The flexibility in pay will be very good as it will reward teachers who perform the best rather than giving all teachers a similar rate.]

My Government will also take steps to ensure that it becomes typical for those leaving school to start a traineeship or an apprenticeship, or to go to university. [We need more highly skilled people but we cannot have a nation of poorly trained academics. We need more apprentices and more people who are practically skilled. I'd like to see a drop in British Uni numbers in exchange for a higher quality of a degrees and an increase in quality and quantity of apprenticeships]

New arrangements will be put in place to help more people own their own home, with Government support provided for mortgages and deposits. [Depends how they give the support, government getting involved is not always the best. This could be an instance of the rule of unintended consequences, I'd like to see the Bill.]

My Government is committed to supporting people who have saved for their retirement.

Legislation will be introduced to reform the way long term care is paid for, to ensure the elderly do not have to sell their homes to meet their care bills.

My Government will bring forward legislation to create a simpler state pension system that encourages saving and provides more help to those who have spent years caring for children.

Legislation will be introduced to ensure sufferers of  a certain asbestos-related cancer receive payments where no liable employer or insurer can be traced.

My Government will bring forward a Bill that further reforms Britain’s immigration system. The Bill will ensure that this country attracts people who will contribute and deters those who will not.

My Government will continue to reduce crime and protect national security.

Legislation will be introduced to reform the way in which offenders are rehabilitated in England and Wales.

Legislation will be brought forward to introduce new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour, cut crime and further reform the police.

In relation to the problem of matching internet protocol addresses, my Government will bring forward proposals to enable the protection of the public and the investigation of crime in cyberspace.[I'm always suspicious of the police getting involved in tracking people on cyber space. Again how far will this go because some of the ideas that have come out of the government go too far.]

Measures will be brought forward to improve the way this country procures defence equipment, as well as strengthening the Reserve Forces.

My Ministers will continue to work in cooperation with the devolved administrations. [As a firm believer in Great Britain I'd get rid of them all as they undermine the country, I'd think a bit more about NI though as there are some clear public safety reasons why that was brought about.]

A Bill will be introduced to give effect to a number of institutional improvements in Northern Ireland.

Draft legislation will be published concerning the electoral arrangements for the National Assembly for Wales. [As I said above I'd don't like devolution to countries in the UK, but if they have to have it they should use FPTP as the electoral system.]

My Government will continue to make the case for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom. [I think the Scottish should leave the United Kingdom. I don't think they really want to stay in the UK for any real economic, cultural or political reason. Scotsmen (and women) will decide on the basis of being better off by £150 under the SNP or Labour/Conservatives. But as I have no voting rights in the referendum I don't really care. It is their decision.]

Members of the House of Commons Estimates for the public services will be laid before you.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

My Government will work to prevent conflict and reduce terrorism. It will support countries in transition in the Middle East and North Africa, and the opening of a peace process in Afghanistan.

My Government will work to prevent sexual violence in conflict worldwide.

My Government will ensure the security, good governance and development of the Overseas Territories, including by protecting the Falkland Islanders’ and Gibraltarians’ right to determine their political futures.

In assuming the Presidency of the G8, my Government will promote economic growth, support free trade, tackle tax evasion, encourage greater transparency and accountability while continuing to make progress in tackling climate change. [code for let's build wind turbines and wreck the energy supply of the country.]

Other measures will be laid before you.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons; I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels. [God Save The Queen]

The Queen is the best lady in the country. Long may she reign.

#JennyThereJenny

Jenny our Treasurer on www.order-order.com

VOTE NO

The Nottingham SU, in all their wisdom, have decided to have a referendum on whether they should adopt a Pro Choice policy. Vote NO here http://www.su.nottingham.ac.uk/news/article/6001/Elections-and-Referendum/ . Here's why I am voting NO.

The SU will either adopt a pro choice policy or no policy at all. If you vote No you're not voting against abortion just voting for the SU to have no stance on it.

Join our Facebook group and event https://www.facebook.com/events/461937387217217/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/142010792652451/

To see other posts on the referendum see http://thingselliottsays.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-madness-of-su.html and http://nottingham.tab.co.uk/2013/02/19/pointless-su-abortion-referendum/.

Voting takes place here: http://www.su.nottingham.ac.uk/news/article/6001/Elections-and-Referendum/

#NUCAWatches

Yesterday evening NUCAwent for a premiere. I put on my bow tie and went to go see Tory Boy The Movie.

John Walsh and DC

The Story is about John Walsh getting selected and fighting the 2010 general election in Middlesbrough. John is not a usual Tory, having been helping Gordon Brown before getting selected. The movie also centres on Stuart Bell the MP for Middlesbrough who is never seen. I enjoyed the Movie but I couldn't help cringing at some of what happened in an election we really should have won. It's well worth a watch if you enjoy politics.

Here is an account of the night through twitter (we used two hashtags for some reason).

Alex loved the candidate John Walsh.

But the light bulb in the screening room went very soon into the movie.

We moved into another room with microphones on the table, just like at the UN, and it was very dark.

Joseph had his priorities right though.

The movie also was rather quirky.

I liked some of the quotes though.

It was a very good movie, Lisa was disappointed not to be there.

Make sure you see the Tory Boy movie it is very good.