Referend-urrrm: Appalling turnout forces Guild to extend vote

Reform gets a second chance as the Guild of Students extend the voting period by six weeks.


With only 3% of students voting on the proposals to dramatically alter the structure of student democracy, student apathy has reached an all time high. 

As a result, the Guild has made the decision to extend the vote for an additional six weeks, in order to reach the requirement of 3070 votes. This appalling turnout has come despite the Referenda promising the most important vote the Guild has been subject to in recent years.

The referenda surrounds two propositions, both of which would drastically change how decisions are made in the Guild. Essentially, it would change the relationship between students and their representatives.

Question 1: Democratic Structures

The first question put forward was whether the Guild should adopt the new democratic structures model. This model would scrap the widely criticised tedium of Guild Council, which currently work by holding four hour meetings,  7 times a year in which almost farcical debates on voting take place.

In its place, the proposed new online system would provide a platform for students to propose their ideas, which will be put to student-wide referenda if they receive enough support. However, although only a yes/no answer was required on this first question, only 828 students voted, falling short of 3070 requirement for the vote to even be considered.

So we’re voting on whether or not to have some speeches on whether or not we should vote? (No jokes, this happens).

Question 2: Non-Sabbatical positions

The second controversial question asks students to give a yes/no response as to whether the Guild should get rid of all non-sabbatical positions, and replace them with a greater role for associations and committees. This would see positions such as the anti-fascism officer (notoriously known) withdrawn.

Some have expressed concern over this proposition, fearing that removing liberation roles would be a backwards step. However, these proposals would, as mentioned, give a greater role to the committees already in place to target these issues, and avoid massive costs for the union.

The Guild have been publicising the referenda on all available platforms

Response to the turnout:

In response to such a disappointing turnout, Guild President Poppy Wilkinson told The Tab: “The proposed changes are extremely significant and could result in huge changes within the Guild.”

Responding to the suggestion that poor turnout may be due in part to the stressful academic period, she added: “the Guild recognises this and wants to give everyone the opportunity to read the information and make their decision.”

The extension means that the Guild now has six weeks to secure the additional 2000-odd votes. But with the initial turnout so low, and with the current preoccupation of exams clearly the priority for many students, it’s looking likely that the Referenda will not reach the required number of votes.

Voting is now open at

http://www.guildofstudents.com/referenda2014