BREAKING NEWS!
It was recently learnt that the Birmingham University Conservative Future (BUCF) was derecognised yesterday. This isn’t the first time the BUCF has been derecognised (http://bulsonline.org/2008/12/06/buls-inside-i-didnt-recognise-bucf/). However, this time little is known (on my part at least) what were the reasons for this. From what I know directly from BUCF members is that they received an email of constitutional breaches (not sure if it was the Guild’s or their own constitution though) and not to mention the ongoing fiasco over their AGM. I do know from a particular source in BUCF that they had been considering voluntarily derecognising for some time as they haven’t received a grant from the Guild in a couple of years.
Whatever the reasons, I’m sure they’re far better than last time (essentially no one was sent to a Guild Council meeting for months on end). Obviously, the full story so far is not known so this presumption may well be wrong, but every other society manages to get the grant, why not BUCF? I sincerely wish they could sort out their problems and get back into the Guild, but whatever happens, we wish them the best of luck. And if anyone from BUCF wants to fill in the details it would be much appreciated.
Max
Also just to point out BUCF has never been officially derecognised. The last motion at Guild Council, when I was President, was defeated with about 69% of the vote. Despite accusations to the contrary we were grateful for the support of former BULS Chair Tom Guise who recognised the importance of having all political parties recognised on campus. If this is correct and BUCF are (to be) derecognised I assume the current President, Sahar Rezazadeh, can count on the support of the BULS Chair?
I’m also certain you can count on Dora (Chair), Louise (Chair-elect), Suzy (BULS Guild Council Rep) and everyone else in BULS for support.
Are all political parties represented on campus? Or is it just the mainstream parties?
I am not aware of the issues which have brought these current events into being. There are times when societies, and especially political parties, can and should be de-recognised by the Guild.
This is the case when rules have been broken which threaten the existence of the guild, the services which it provides or which seeks unfairly prejudice one group on campus ahead of others in a manner which denies other groups access to those same services.
As I said, I am unfamiliar with the details of this case, however if none of the above applies to the Conservative Future, then I of course, support them in their proceedings.
I’m also ignorant of the circumstances of this case, but I’d agree that in the interests of democracy a party as big as the Tories should be represented on campus. Just in case they get into power, the students would benefit from being able to have ideologies and policies explained etc. And as opposition they’re a healthy check on us, and there’s no point in fighting for the student vote by ourselves! To paraphrase Torrence from Bring It On: Winning is about competing against the best and beating them! We want a thriving BUCF to demonstrate just how incredible we can be!
Well im relieved and encouraged to see that BULS recognise the importance of having cross party representation in the Guild. Some BUCF execs have had the desire to retreat from guild politics, admittedly I once took such a stance, but common sense prevailed and I realised it wasn’t in the interest of the society or indeed the guild to marginalise ourselves, the strongest political society on campus in terms of membership, from the heart of student politics at the University of Birmingham.
and you’re right Suzy, if BUCF weren’t there you’d only have the Lib Dems to challenge! As David Sillars said to Mrs Thatcher in her last commons speech:
“It is always a greater pleasure to tackle a political heavyweight opponent than a lightweight leader of the opposition”
lol ;P
*Jim not David lol (Jim Sillars MP) Apologies
The oft misquoted Voltaire saying about people with views I disagree with springs to mind here.