Conference Report

Sorry for the delay, however the first item in my report is the sore throat that was effecting me throughout conference, and ever since.

OK, lets get the big one out of the way; The Governance Review.

Unfortunately the ratification of the core constitution, which required a two-thirds majority, fell by 23 votes. That's twelve delegates short (assuming those delegates changed their votes; from no, to yes).

Sixty-six percent of delegates voted for change (remember, 66.7% was required to pass), but this didn't stop the hard left from claiming that the review had been "rejected".

Those of you that study, or are interested in, language, will already know that something that isn't one thing doesn't mean that it's automaticly the opposite. For example, if something is not white then it isn't necessarily black! So using the same theory, the governance review didn't pass, but it doesn't mean it was rejected. Mind you, the far left have never quite got that Labour are not right wing. Honestly, the Tories (mostly) aren't even right wing ... but that's an argument for another post!

Moving on now; I had a speech to do (even with the sore throat), that was on sport coaching in the community. Good enough for a maiden speech I thought. The motion passed anyway!

Other than that, I had a lot of fun when I wasn't coughing myself to death (and probably annoying the other delegates around me). Highlights have to include Wednesday night's comedy routine, and Wes in the chair (truely amazing)!

Those of you who know me will already be aware that I am a member of the Conservative Party. However, that shouldn't preclude me from voting for members of Labour Students (and it didn't) in the NEC and committee elections. I also know that the Organized Independents tend to be members of the Labour Party (although not always Labour Students). However I was still asked why I was voting for them!

Simply, student politics has two basic camps, the far left (Respect, SWP et al.) and the moderates (Labour, Lib Dem, most true independents, and probably a surprisingly high amount of Tories). Obviously I place myself in the latter camp, so even though I'm not in the Labour faction, I will quite happily vote for their candidates.

If you still don't understand, tough!

Cricket season starts this weekend. Here's hoping for a dry summer.

JR