Success at Varndean College, Brighton


Ewan Atkinson

I recently stood, with some friends who share similar political beliefs to me, for election to positions in Varndean College, Brighton. I ran for vice-president and was elected. A friend was elected as chair and the one running for president lost by only five votes out of over 200.

This shows that the students want people who will fight their cause in these hard times.

I stood because the government is making drastic education cuts and I wanted to be in a position to fight them.

As vice-president of the union I hope to re-ignite the student movement and show the students that the fight against fees and cuts is far from over.

Just being on the streets in protest, even if we don’t get everything we want, still shows the government that students will do whatever we can to stop these attacks.

The NUS called a national walkout and day of action for 14 March yet they did nothing to publicise it.

Some friends and I set up Varndean College Against the Cuts in November.

We tried to publicise the walkout and even organised a demo. But without the student union’s support, this was hard.

What is the point of the NUS calling for action when they keep it hidden and don’t tell anyone about it? I get emails all the time about free burgers and 10% off in Topshop but I didn’t receive any emails about the action they called for.

As vice-president I will organise campaigns to help fight the cuts. I am now a governor at Varndean so I will have a say in changes made to the college.

I will fight on behalf of the students, keep them informed and build campaigns with them to defend our rights and education.