Candidate manifestos (Block of 15) CD12 - Amazon S3s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/nusdigital/document/documents/...Candidates for Block of 15 positions at National Conference 2016 Purpose

19–21 April 2016 | Brighton

Candidate manifestos

(Block of 15)

CD12

Candidates for Block of 15 positions at National

Conference 2016

Purpose of this document

Under NUS’ election rules, the list of candidates for Block of 15 positions are circulated prior to the

conference at which they are elected. Also included with this list are the names of those who nominated

each candidate.

Full details of the election rules and schedules can be found online and some copies are available on

request at the information point.

Read through the document and need more help?

The Chief Returning Officer and their designates will be at National Conference. You should also read the

Chief Returning Officer’s report in the reports document and listen to their presentation during the AGM.

Nominations

Block of 15

Voting at National Conference

You should listen to the speeches from each candidate and read their manifestos to help you decide who

to vote for. You will be able to vote by using your unique ballot during the breaks after each round of

election speeches has taken place.

Elections are decided using a system of transferable vote.

For elections for a single post-holder we will use alternative transferable vote (ATV), and for multiple

member elections, e.g. National Executive Councilors, we will use a single transferable vote (STV) system.

You choose candidates in order of preference by putting a ‘1’ by your first choice, a ‘2’ by your second,

and so on. This allows you to say who should be elected if your first, second, or even third and fourth

choices do not attract a lot of support. So use your vote carefully, your seventh preference vote could

elect the eventual winner. Re-Open Nominations is a candidate in all elections.

Counts and Declarations

The full time officer positions will be counted and announced at National Conference. No result is official

until declared by the Chief Returning Officer on National Conference Floor. The counts for the National

Executive Councilor positions, Democratic Procedures Committee and Student Trustees will take place

after conference.

Check out the conference hub at http://conference.nusconnect.org.uk/ for more information.

http://conference.nusconnect.org.uk/what-s-on/agenda-and-papers

Candidates for Block of 15

Ali Milani Matt Grange ZamZam Ibrahim

Ana Oppenheim Muzzamil Khan Zoe Brunswick

Angela Alexander Omar Raii Re-open Nominations (RON)

Ashley Reed Rachel Holland

Barbara Ntumy Rojan Kumar

Caoimhe McNeill Rory Murray

Charley Hasted Rosie McKenna

Daniel Nikolla Sahaya James

Dean Wilson Sayed Alkadiri

Hassun El Zafar Scott Ideson

Izzy Lenga Sean McNamee

Jasmine Manning Siobhan Kelly

Jessica Rich Sion Davis

Joseph Haslam Thomas Collins

Kira Cox Yinbo Yu

Kyle Henry

Candidate name: Ali Milani

Constituent Member: Union of Brunel Students

Nominator Constituent Member

Jaffrina Jahan University of Birmingham Students’ Union

Noha Magd University of Bristol Students’ Union

Mohammad Mumtaz UCLU

Yinbo Yo UEASU

Ayesha Al-Fekaiki LSESU

Candidate name: Ana Oppenheim

Constituent Member: SUARTS


Tasmia Salim UCLan Students' Union

Jessica Patterson University of Manchester Students' Union

Andrew Warren KCLSU

Nona Buckley-Irvine LSESU

Marie Chapleau Aberdeen University Students' Association

Candidate name: Angela Alexander

Constituent Member: Ayrshire College Student Association


Imogen Wilson Edinburgh University Student Association

Heidi Vistisen Queen Margaret University Student Union

Ashley Hickford New College Lanarkshire Student Association

Rosie Inman NUS Wales National Executive Council

Ashley Cameron University of Stirling Students’ Union

Candidate name: Ashley Reed

Constituent Member: University of York Students’ Union


Fran Cowling NUS National Executive Council

Jasper Williams Bangor University Students’ Union

James Smith Northumbria University Students’ Union

Lucas North University of York Students’ Union

Cleopatra Glithero Cardiff University Students’ Union

Candidate name: Barbara Ntumy

Constituent Member: London Metropolitan University Students' Union


Shakira Martin NUS National Executive Council

Noorulann Shahid NUS LGBT+ Committee

Naa Acquah University of Manchester Students' Union

Hannah Dualeh University of Bristol Students' Union

Adwoa Darko SOAS Students' Union

Candidate name: Caoimhe McNeil

Constituent Member: Queens University Belfast Students’ Union


Fergal McFerran NUS National Executive Council

Victoria Lutton Ulster University Students' Union

Rachel Holland Leicester Students' Union

Fraser Drylie Glasgow Caledonian University Students' Union

Matthew Carroll Cardiff University Students' Union

Candidate name: Charley Hasted

Constituent Member: Lambeth College Students’ Union


Fran Cowling NUS National Executive Council

Jasper Williams Rhiannon Llewellyn Students’ Union

Kara Hutchison Northeast Scotland College Students’ Union

Charlotte Butler Canterbury College Students’ Union

Joseph Toovey University of Cambridge Students’ Union

Candidate name: Daniel Nikolla

Constituent Member: City and Islington Students' Union


Shakira Martin NUS National Executive Council

Charlie Baker Derby College Students' Union

Fflur Enin Bangor University Students' Union

Charmaine Jacobs East Kent College Students' Union

Angela Alexander Ayrshire College Student Association

Candidate name: Dean Wilson

Constituent Member:


Jasper Williams Bangor University Students' Union

Noorulann Shahid NUS LGBT+ committee

Marcus Connolly Cardiff University Students' Union

Fope Olalaye Newcastle University Students' Union

Elizabeth Gray Northumbria University Students' Union

Candidate name: Hassun El Zafar

Constituent Member: Sheffield Hallam Students Union


Robiu Salisu Swansea Students' Union

Aysha Al Fekaiki LSE Students Union

Zarah Sultana NUS Black Students' Campaign

Sorana Vieru NUS National Executive

Daniel Nikolla City and Islington College

Candidate name: Izzy Lenga

Constituent Member: Birmingham Guild of Students


Melantha Chittenden University of Kent Union

Ayo Akinrele Liverpool Hope Students' Union

Matthew Grange University of West London Students' Union

Poppy Wolfarth National Society of Apprentices

Isaac Leigh Warwick Students' Union

Candidate name: Jasmine Manning

Constituent Member: SGS College Students’ Union


Ebony McNicholas Wakefield College Students’ Union

Sean McNamee NRC Students’ Union

Jed Calcutt South Tyneside College Students’ Union

Jordane Mather Leicester College Students’ Union

Alexander Rollason Coleg Cambria Students’ Union

Candidate name: Jessica Rich

Constituent Member: University of Essex Students Union


Alexa Webster FXU

Adrian Chira University of Essex Students Union

Jack Malby University of Birmingham Guild of Students

Carolina Mantzalos Queen Mary Students Union

Aisling Davis Liverpool John Moores Students Union

Candidate name: Joseph Haslam

Constituent Member: Lancaster & Morecambe Colleges' Students' Union LMCSU


Hayden Cooper University of Exeter Students’ Union

Rebecca Chambers Manchester Metropolitan University Students’ Union

Kyla Lawton Staffordshire University Students’ Union

Andrea Grainger Keele University Students’ Union

Connie Judkins-Law University of Kent Students’ Union

Candidate name: Kira Cox

Constituent Member: Liverpool Hope Students' Union


Rosie McKenna Edge Hill Students’ Union

Jack Mably Birmingham Guild of Students

Jamie Bennett Liverpool SU

Issac Leigh University of Warwick Students’ Union

Emma Sims Liverpool Guild of Students

Candidate name: Kyle Henry

Constituent Member: University of Strathclyde Students’ Association


Rosie McKenna Edge Hill Students’ Union

Neil Alexander Glasgow Caledonian Students’ Association

Fflur Elin Bangor University Students’ Union

Kara-Jane Senior Durham University Students’ Union

Vonnie Sandlan NUS National Executive Council

Candidate name: Matt Grange

Constituent Member: University of West London Students' Union


Millie Tanner Durham University Students' Union

Priscilla Mensah University of Cambridge Students’ Union

Tammy Naidoo University of Kent Students' Union

Jessica Excell Loughborough Students Union

Daniel Nikolla City and Islington College Students’ Union

Candidate name: Muzzamil Khan

Constituent Member: Bradford College Students’ Union


Shabina Raja NUS National Executive Council

Harry Shotton SOAS Students’ Union

Sabrin Adam University of Leicester Students' Union

Areeb Ullah Kings College London Students’ Union

Zarah Sultana Birmingham Guild of Students

Candidate name: Omar Raii

Constituent Member: University College London Union


Hannah Webb NUS National Executive Committee

Ollie Hill LSE Students' Union

Hope Worsdale Warwick Students' Union

Sahaya James South Gloucestershire and Stroud College Students' Union

Lewis MacLeod Aberdeen University Students' Association

Candidate name: Rachel Holland

Constituent Member: University of Leicester Students' Union


Jess Excell University of Loughborough Students’ Union

Imogen Wilson University of Edinburgh Students’ Association


Gurmok Sanghera Hull University Students’ Union

Ellen Rose-Jones University of South Wales Student’s Union

Candidate name: Rojan Kumar

Constituent Member: NUS Scotland Scottish Executive Council


Andrew Perry Edinburgh Napier University

Edward Pollock Robert Gordon University Students’ Union

ILE Wilson University Of Edinburgh Students’ Association

Michael O'Donnell University of Strathclyde Students' Association

Lorna Stanger Highlands and Islands Students' Association

Candidate name: Rory Murray

Constituent Member: University of Kent Students’ Union


Sorcha Haverty University of Derby Students’ Union

Baljeevan Deol Staffordshire University Students’ Union

Esther Green Durham University Students’ Union

Jack Mably Birmingham Guild of Students’

Aisling Davis Liverpool John Moores University Students’ Union

Candidate name: Rosie McKenna

Constituent Member: Edge Hill Students' Union


Michael O'Donnell University of Strathclyde Students' Association

Cameron Giles Northumbria Students' Union

Kira Cox Liverpool Hope Students' Union

Richard Brooks NUS National Executive Council

Ciara McDonnell Ulster University Students' Union

Candidate name: Sahaya James

Constituent Member: South Gloucestershire and Stroud College Students’ Union


Maddy Kirkman NUS National Executive Council

Hansika Jethnani SUARTS

Jenny Killin Aberdeen University Student Association

Shula Kombe University of Manchester Student's Union

Josh Berlyne University of Sheffield Students’ Union

Candidate name: Sayed Alkadiri

Constituent Member: Middlesex University Students’ Union


Sorana Vieru NUS National Executive Council

Jo Swo University of East Anglia Students' Union

Daniel Nikolla City & Islington College Students' Union

Muzzamil Khan Bradford College Students' Union

Nadine Almanasfi King's College London University Students' Union

Candidate name: Scott Ideson

Constituent Member: London South Bank Students' Union


Shelly Asquith NUS National Executive Council

Tommy Snipe NUS LGBT+ Committee

Amy Charlton Newcastle University Students' Union

Daniel Johnson University of Bedfordshire Students' Union

Lewis Addlington-Lee Birmingham Guild of Students

Candidate name: Sean McNamee

Constituent member: Northern Regional College Student


Keziah Taylor Bangor University Students’ Union

Apphia Ferguson Coleg Sir Gar Students’ Union


Poppy Wolfarth Asset Training

Jasmine Manning South Gloucestershire and Stroud College Students’ Union

Candidate name: Siobhan Kelly

Constituent Member: University of Roehampton Students’ Union


Naa Acquah University of Manchester Students’ Union

Josie Linsel UCLan Students’ Union

Carolina Mantzalos Queen Mary Students’ Union

Isaac Leigh University of Warwick Students’ Union

Munya Mudarikiri University of Surrey Students’ Union

Candidate name: Siôn Davis

Constituent Member: Coleg Sir Gâr Students' Union


Carmen Ria Smith NUS Wales National Executive Committee

Fflur Elin Bangor University Students' Union

Peter Harris Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Students' Union

Lewis Donnelly Aberystwyth University Students' Union

Daniel Rowbotham University of Wales Trinity Saint David Students' Union

Candidate name: Thomas Collins

Constituent Member: Exeter Guild of Students


Ben Kew University of Bristol Students' Union

Jake Painter University of Essex Students' Union

Stuart McLuckie University of Stirling Students' Union

Sarah Curtis London South Bank University Students' Union

Adam Willmott University of Sheffield Students Union

Candidate name: Yinbo Yu

Constituent Member: University of East Anglia Students; Union


Mostafa Rajaai NUS National Executive Council

Sabrin Adam University of Leicester Students' Union

Noha Abou El Magd University of Bristol Students’ Union

Mohammed Ilyas Nagdee University of Manchester Students’ Union

Aadam Siciid Muuse NUS Black Students' Campaign

Candidate name: ZamZam Ibrahim

Constituent Member: University of Salford Students Union


Sorana Vieru NUS National Executive Council

Tasmia Salim UCLan Students’ Union

Melissa Owusu Leeds University Union

Jaffrina Jahan Birmingham Guild of Students

Sayed Alkadiri Middlesex University Students’ Union

Candidate name: Zoe Brunswick

Constituent Member: University of Manchester Students’ Union


Dennis Applebaum University of Cardiff Students’ Union

Lucy Nuttal University of Leicester Students’ Union

Matthew Whale University of Derby Students’ Union

Luke Brunswick University of Sheffield Students’ Union

Elizabeth O'Mahony Birmingham Guild of Students

Supporting Statements

Candidate: Ali Milani

Our Movement Matters

Its been a difficult year for students. Attack after attack; cut after cut. We are seeing the most vulnerable in our

society driven out of education. This is all happening as our national movement seems more divided than ever.

But I am more optimistic now than 12 months ago.

Because for the first time in my lifetime, many of our national officers see the purpose of a strong, relentless national

movement that wins for students. I am standing to be on the national executive to help continue our work towards a

stronger and more transformative national union of students.

Candidate: Ana Oppenheim

National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts

My name is Ana Oppenheim and I’m the Campaigns Officer at SUARTS. I’m also a Polish migrant, a socialist feminist

and a member of the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts – fighting for a free, accessible, democratic and

liberated education for all.

I'm standing for election because I've seen and experienced the impact that austerity and the marketisation agenda

has had on education. We need an NUS that supports grassroots activism, builds coalitions with trade unions and is

unafraid to take action aganst the government.

Candidate: Angela Alexander

Angela Alexander for Block of 15

I have been involved in the student movement for over two years and it has honestly been life changing. From no

involvement with NUS whilst I was studying, I have progressed onto being elected to the Scottish Executive

Committee as well as the FE Zone Committee and now standing to be on NEC. I give 100% to all my work and I

believe that we are a strong force when we all work together and stay committed to the needs of all students. We

need to stand tall together fighting for our right to a free and accessible education!

Candidate: Ashley Reed

Reed; fight harassment, support sex workers

My experience as a trans and disability activist, which has included me speaking in Parliament on trans rights, will

make me an invaluable member of NEC. Not only can I bring a massive amount of knowledge about liberation issues

to the table but I also understand how to make an effective activist campaign, which is what I want the NUS to be.

Vote for me if you want the NUS to work to create support for student sex workers, to challenge and prevent

harassment of marginalised students and to push for legal recognition of non-binary identities.

Candidate: Barbara Ntumy

Free education- fight cuts, racism, war

I'm standing for the NUS NEC to build a fighting student movement that takes on the Tories - no cuts, racism, wars

and climate change.

Education is being destroyed, our NHS is at breaking point and austerity is making us poorer. We’ve got to unite

together and fight back to save all of our futures.

I’m active in the NUS Women’s and Black Students’ Campaigns, have built grassroots campaigns at London Met

where I have just been elected as a Sabbatical Officer and am active in the Student Assembly Against Austerity,

Stand Up To Racism and Stop the War.

Candidate: Caoímhe McNeill

For a United, Representative NUS.

My name is Caoímhe McNeill. I’m the President of Queen’s University Belfast Students’ Union and have sat on NEC

this year as the NUS-USI 2nd place, representing Colleges and Universities from Northern Ireland. This year I’m

running for Block of 15 at NUS Conference.

We need an NEC that is representative of our membership, that will hold our officers to account and who will work

together to fight for and with students. I am proud to be part of our student movement and will continue to fight for

and with students.

#CaoimheCan @caoimhemcneill

Candidate: Charley Hasted

I am a dedicated and hardworking Trans FE Student.

I've worked to deliver a range of results for students at my college and in my position as FE rep on NUS LGBT+

Committee Including challenging PREVENT, combatting Sexual harassment in my college, and working to bring new

colleges into NUS events.

I'm standing for Block because I want to see greater equality between FE nd HE students in NUS. We are two thirds of

NUS membership and we deserve an equal standing in NUS's Governance.

Candidate: Daniel Nikolla

Diversity, Unity against Austerity #Fight4FE

Daniel Nikolla is running for NUS NEC, after a successful year where he also received ‘NUS International Students’

Best Officer of the Year’ (Highly Commended), being the only FE awarded.

He’s stood against austerity, racist Prevent Agenda, and has championed the rights of the marginalised and promoted

BME and female students.

When he isn’t in campus, he puts energy into building Student Union networks externally.

Dan’s standing as a FE non-sabbatical officer, active in the NUS FE's and International Students' campaigns and the

Student Assembly against Austerity, who has joined occupations and led campaigns.

@DanielNikolla3 facebook.com/originalDN3

|DamnDANIEL|

Candidate: Dean Wilson

#Dean4Fifteen

Hi! :) You should elect me for NEC because- conference?

I am ANGRY. I'm angry that a year ago, policy didn't pass because of technicalities. I'm angry that minority students

are *consistently* drowned out. I'm angry that people always leave during the nations address! We can change all of

this.

Many of the conferences are not accessible, there is racism and antisemitism, and STILL, somehow, the gender

options are not good enough.

Vote #Dean4Fifteen, for an irish, nonbinary, intersectional, angry (but friendly!) passionate radical feminist not afraid

to make change. Tweet me, @artsyirish with any questions! :) x

Candidate: Hassun El Zafar

Dream it. Believe it. Build it.

Being involved in our student movement is an incredibly enriching experience; we are capable of so much, from

making our institutions divest millions from fossil fuels, bringing the plight of the on-going refugee crisis to our

university boards, challenging draconian governmental policies and even reshaping views towards mental health

within our society.

I want to help us maintain an NUS which thrives, demands and supports campaigns which call for a better education,

society and world for us all.

Experience

Education Officer Sheffield Hallam SU

Disabled Rep NUS Black Students Campaign

NUS HE rep the UCAS National Council

NUS HE Zone

Candidate: Izzy Lenga

Vote Izzy 'Jenga' Lenga for Block

I'm Izzy Jenga Lenga and I'm running to be your representative on Block.

As Education Officer at Birmingham Guild of Students, a current NEC member, Soc & Cit committee member and

ARAF co-convenor, I have seen the good, the bad and the very ugly of NUS over the last year. I’m re-running for

Block of 15 to ensure that we construct an NUS that has your interests at its core.

Vote Izzy Jenga Lenga for #1 for Block of 15

Candidate: Jasmine Manning

GIVNG A VOICE TO 800,000 STUDENTS

Hey, I’m Jazz - a level three business admin apprentice. As a founding member of the National Society of

Apprentices, I represent over 150 000 apprentices. I’ve attended many NUS events from Women in Leadership to

Zone conference and never found a space for me. I want to change that. NUS needs to reflect its values of

collectivism and inclusivity and give apprentices the voice we deserve.

Candidate: Jessica Rich

Jess We Can

I have been welcomed into NUS this year and I have seen the way it can help students. I want to help NUS to grow

so that we can fight for the rights of all students. I care about the work WE can do together and I want to help lay

groundwork that will improve the lives of the students of today and of tomorrow

Candidate: Joseph Haslam

#HaslamHasFight for #FreeEducation, Against tory capitalism!

You already know, over the past year we've faced unprecedented attacks from government, on every front, more

relentlessly than ever. The depressing thing is, you could've said that last year too.

Enough!

We've to start a fightback the government can't ignore, make the student strike happen, if not, we're sitting ducks!

Elect me to fight long & hard, make the student strike happen, step up our campaign against government! We need

to change the game, instead of us reacting to what they do, we force them to react to what we do! Vote for me and

together we'll fight.

Candidate: Kira Cox

Count on Kira

Hi, I’m Kira Cox, currently the President at Liverpool Hope Students’ Union. I am standing to be a member of NEC

because I am fed up of having to explain to my students that NUS is more than a discount card. I want an NUS that is

representative, realistic and relevant to its members. We need a National Union which continues to change lives by

fighting for students rights.

Candidate: Kyle Henry

I came to university in 2009 to study accountancy, but stayed for the societies. It was being in Enactus, drama

shows, dance competitions and raising £30,000 for RAG that I will remember, not the exams, essays and all-nighters

in the library from being at Strathclyde.

I became VPVD (Volunteering & Development) for the sole purpose of enhancing student experience through extra

curricular activities and volunteering. This is something I believe benefits both the student experience and a

community as a whole.

Candidate: Matt Grange

GRANGE FOR CHANGE

Hi, I'm Matt. I believe the purpose of education is to create a better society. Our movement – 600 students’ unions –

has the ideas and the power to create the education system we want it to be. But our movement has lost its way. We

have to remember the millions of students who need us to show bold leadership and challenge students' unions to be

better. I changed my SU when it was failing -I’m standing for Block to make the same change at NUS. To make our

movement work better for everyone. VOTE MATT GRANGE #1 BLOCK

Candidate: Muzzamil Khan

Hi i'm Muzz, current Bradford College President an i'm running to be on the Block of 15.

While i'm lucky to be President of one of the larger and better resourced FE unions in England, many fellow FE sabbs

aren't so lucky and I want to help make better use of the resources available to me and through NUS, to give back to

the FE sector and students and ensure that FE stays on the agenda throughout NUS' work.

Make sure to vote Muzz #1 for Block of 15

Candidate: Omar Raii


Hi, I'm Omar and I'm a member of the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, an activist with UCL Free Education

as well as a supporter of the ideas of Workers' Liberty. I want to fight for a student movement that is internationalist

and supports solidarity with students and workers across borders, that orientates towards the labour movement and

working-class struggle and that is firmly open and democratic. I was us to recapture a spirit of open debate, freedom

of organisation, speech and action in order to effectively fight for the political change we want to see.

Candidate: Rachel Holland

I’ve sat on NUS’s National Executive Council for one year, and have seen first-hand the debate, arguments and issues

that NUS have faced. I’m re-running for the Block of 15 because NUS needs to bring the debate back to its

membership and ensure that its policies are backed up with practical action. I believe in fair access to education, a

collective approach to tackling issues and ensuring that a diverse range of voices can be heard in the fight for a better

deal for students. #ReElectRachel to NEC for a National Union that delivers.

Candidate: Rojan Kumar

I am a fighter no politician

Currently I am NUS Scotland Executive Representative and ENSA (Edinburgh Napier Students Association) - Vice

President of Reps & Volunteers(ENSA incoming President 16/17), and a committed Trade Unionist (Unison). I came

into student’s politics in 2008 and started from College and now continuing in University and NUS Scotland. So from

2008 I have represented all the FE, HE & International students because I know very well about student’s issues and

I involved with lots of campaign in Scotland & UK. Please give me an Opportunity to show my solidarity!!

Candidate: Rory Murray

I'm Rory Murray, currently Vice President Welfare (and next year's President Elect) at Kent Union. Throughout my

time in the student movement I have worked tirelessly to support and defend the rights of students. From working to

rid my campus of loan sharks as well as running time to change workshops to get students talking about mental

health, I know how powerful the student movement can be when we are united together creating positive change. I’m

running for block to make sure mental health matters, we work for safe affordable homes and have Students’ Unions

leading the way.

Candidate: Rosie McKenna

#ComingUpRosie

I'm running for Block because I #LoveSUs, and I want to put you at the heart of your national movement. So elect

me for someone who wants to imbed NUS’s ARAF work into all our training, as a core value of our movement. Elect

me for someone who knows the value of SUs' and student opportunities, who knows the personal growth and activism

that comes out of these spaces, who wants everyone to find their home in their Union.

Elect me, and NEC will be coming up Rosie. Vote Rosie McKenna No.1 for Block of 15. Thanks for reading!

Candidate: Sahaya James


As an unpaid FE college President, I frought for my union to exist, let alone get it resourced – while my college tried

to expel me. As an activist, I’ve organised national demos for free education. And as a member of the NEC, I’ve held

our full-time officers to account.

I’ve done all of this without a penny from NUS, and with almost no central support. That’s because NUS has the

wrong priorities: we have an NUS that is obsessed with brands and networking. What we need is an NUS that

engages its membership, and gets the basics right.

Candidate: Sayed Alkadiri

Students changing Education,Society & the World

Today we see an education system, a society and a world where people are routinely disenfranchised, where power is

taken from the many and placed into the hands of the few. But I refuse to accept that students can't win that power

back, that students can't change education, society and the wider world. Whether it was as part of the anti-apartheid

movement in the 1980s, or more recently through #RefugeesWelcome; our movement is one which achieves so many

things, it makes me so proud, but it can achieve so much more. That's why I'm running for Block of 15.

Candidate: Scott Ideson

A NUS for all students

I’m a second year student nurse studying BSc Children’s Nursing at London South Bank University.

I’m currently the Nursing Students’ Officer at LSBSU representing the views of over 1100 undergraduate,

postgraduate and part-time student nurses from across our two campuses.

I have a background in grassroots activism; lobbying for students and campaigning for equality and to save our NHS.

I'm standing for NEC to represent the thousands of Health and Social Care students across the country that are

currently underrepresented and disproportionately affected by decisions made for us, purely because of the nature of

our courses.

Candidate: Sean McNamee

GIVING A VOICE TO 800,000 STUDENTS

Being on a good apprenticeship is often down to luck. I have had 3 different employers in the past 3 years. The time

where apprentices were there to make the tea and do the jobs no one else wants to is long gone. Students should not

be given a substandard education just because they’re an apprentice. If we want a highly skilled workforce, we need

quality apprenticeships.

Candidate: Siobhan Kelly

Vote Strong, Vote Siobhan

Hello friends, My name is Siobhan Kelly and I am a second year President of Roehampton Students' Union.

I was elected as the first female president, with a population of 70% females at our institution - glass ceilings are

there to be broken and I am firm believer that I am the right person to have a seat on NEC to help break these. I am

passionate about bringing positive change to students on a local level, and now wanting to take this one step further

on a national level.

Candidate: Sion Davies

Let's Make NUS Great Again!

Shwmae! Hello! I’m Siôn Davies - NUS Wales’ Welsh Language Officer and the current President of Coleg Sir Gâr

Students’ Union, an FE college in Llanelli, South Wales.

I’m standing for NUS’ Block of 15 because NUS needs a National Executive Council which is able to represent the true

diversity of political views found in our colleges and universities.

More than anything, I want an NUS which is united by our common goals, not divided by our petty differences. Our

students deserve better!

It’s time for real change. It’s time for fresh ideas.

Candidate: Thomas Collins

A voice for all

My name is Thomas Collins and I am a 2nd year student at the University of Exeter. If you elect me for the Block of

15 then I am going to stand up for all voices on University campuses, not just a select few. I will oppose any attempts

to limit free speech and I will push for transparency within the NUS. I have been doing all of this in my current role as

a Guild Councillor at Exeter Students' Guild and want to be able to voice students concerns on the national stage.

Candidate: Yinbo Yu

I’m Yinbo Yu, a sabbatical officer at UEA. I believe in the power of NUS to change students’ lives. I started out as a

typical international student – isolated, lonely and scared. It was through being involved in societies that I gained the

insight and confidence to branch out and challenge the world, culminating in winning this year’s NUS International

Students’ Officer of the Year Award. More international students need to experience what I could. The more united we

are, the stronger our movement can be. I will provide that voice, mobilise those students, bring our communities

closer together

Candidate: Zamzam Ibrahim

My name is Zamzam and this year I’ve been an elected Vice President at University of Salford SU.

Block was once the eyes and the ears of the student movement. It was a bridge that allowed Unions to feed into the

National Executive Committee. I believe that having a strong passion for the student movement is vital and it is this

type of passion that drives NUS. This passion has made us stronger in advancing the student movement. So why am I

running for Block of 15? Because I have the passion and determination to bridge that gap.

Candidate: Zoe Brunswick

For a democratic and fighting NUS

I am a committed activist and socialist who has been campaigning on and off campus for the past three years. Last

September I helped organised a 1000 strong protest against the imposition of the new unsafe junior doctor contract -

helping to build support for the doctor’s strike.

If elected I will fight for the NUS to place itself at the heart of every struggle. I will campaign for the NUS to use its

resources and authority to organise and lead national action in defense of education – including defending NHS

bursaries, fighting for free education and opposing Prevent.

Documents

Candidate manifestos (Block of 15) CD12 - Amazon S3s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/nusdigital/document/documents/...Candidates for Block of 15 positions at National Conference 2016 Purpose