Considering I had taken 4 days annual leave, this week seemed to be one of the craziest I've had. Whilst I read political blogs on a daily basis I never seem to blog myself - only when something really annoys me; so here I am. And from the title of my blog you can probably guess what it's all about. I am going to try to keep it as short as possible!
My view on Student Fees
We already have top-up fees in Wales. The only difference being that we have a Tuition Fee Grant to keep the cost of tuition fees down for Welsh domiciled students choosing to study in Wales. One of the greatest successes of devolution; a made in Wales policy to directly benefit its people. The fact that the One Wales Government want to get rid of this grant is beyond me. The number of welsh doms studying in Wales has increased significantly in comparison to previous years.
The consultation proposals briefly mention enhanced grants and bursaries - I'm willing to bet that most of this money will be lost in HEFCW and DCELLS 'systems' and bugger all will actually get to assist students directly. DCELLS needs a good shake up and Jant Hutt needs the sack.
My view on Plaid Cymru Policy & the Leadership
I can't believe that Ieuan Wyn Jones told the party's National Council that he couldn't deliver the party policy. I was even more angry to see him still trying to make a case to defy policy on BBC's Dragon's Eye last night. I would like to see Plaid Ministers voting against the proposals. I would like to see the Tories and/or Lib Dems bringing a motion to the National Assembly to vote on the proposals. Plaid AMs should be given a free vote and should carry out the will of the membership.
My view on the National Union of Students (NUS) Wales
Shocking! NUS Wales campaigned for years for a "Fair, Free and Funded" education. Did you know that only 3 days before Jane Hutt announced her proposals in the consultation NUS Wales changed its policy and included 2 exact same proposals that were in the WAG consultation? These were an enhanced bursary scheme and to try and defend the TFG as much as possible. I believe it's too much of a coincidence that a policy of goodness knows how many years gets changed only 3 days before the announcement, and include two key elements in the consultation. Maybe this was for NUS Wales to claim a "win" from its campaigning, or a policy brought in through the back door to support the Government... I've got my own view but it's probably best I keep that one to myself!
Student Unions have raised concerns that the timing of the consultation was wrong; between the end of term 1 and the start of term 2 - otherwise known as "exam period". Unions have said they haven't had enough time to engage it's memberhsip. Ben Gray, President of NUS Wales told the Western Mail that unions had had sufficient time to respond. He's included this line in an Emergency motion for the NUS Wales conference this weekend. So whilst not knowing what unions thought he came out with this line - who's he representing then?
In an emergency motion to its Conference this weekend the NUS Wales Executive slates Plaid Cymru and believes that the TFG is a blunt instrument that is reaching students who "don't need the money". It cracks me up that NUS Wales can reject Plaid Cymru outright (they need plaid to see most of its campaign goals achieved) and since when have students not needed money? You can have the richest parents in the world but it doesn't mean you're going to get a penny off them. NUS LGBT group used to have policy (it may still do) to end means testing on the basis of parents earnings as it was unfair - maybe they should share this information with their colleagues in the Wales office.
NUS Wales also passed a new constitution today - scrapping the maximum two terms in office for any one sabbatical position to allow offers to stand for two years in each position. So one could be on the leadership of NUS Wales for upto 6 years... sounds more like dictatorship than democracy.
Not all is bad about NUS Wales - the staff there are awesome. I was in two minds whether to leave NUS Wales or not.. I am glad I can say I am not a part of the organisation that is so clearly out of touch with students. I'm sure I'll have an email at some point this weekend saying that their conference was a success blah blah blah - If I was there, I'd be going for a vote of No Confidence!
Friday, 6 March 2009
Friday, 21 November 2008
Oh, What a Stitch Up !
I have been told that Jane Hutt is due to make an imminent announcement regarding the future of top up fees in Wales, possibly on Tuesday. As a former deputy president of the National Union of Students Wales and having been heavily involved in the campaign to oppose top up fees and it is fair to say I am extremely disappointed.
One of the questions that students will be asking is what position the NUS Wales have taken on this. I have been told the NUS Wales have supported the change in policy and find it difficult to believe. I would be very disappointed if that was the case. If they have caved in the membership will be left very angry.
I am equally concerned about the way Plaid, who have consistently opposed the decision to introduce top fees in Wales have been bounced into this by Labour. As a member of Plaid I am proud that there is a clear and definitive position on this. In contrast to the Labour party that has been hell bent on pursuing top up fees, Plaid have always blocked their introduction.
Whilst there have been advocates for tuition fees in the party, our policy, which has been ratified, is to oppose it. The Plaid group at the Assembly were very successful in opposition with one of their biggest victories being the humiliating defeat they heaped on Labour in this issue. However, that position it seems has been shifted to one side yet as far as I am aware there has been no leadership discussions, no official change in policy and no input from the membership.
As I understand it Plaid has secured a student debt write off which they will be happy about but in doing so have cut the strings of their opposition to top up fees which was a policy and a principal backed by its membership. What is clearly pushing the Labour agenda is the knowledge that it will split its coalition partner. Putting political skulduggery first to stitch up Plaid before the needs of students in Wales.
One of the questions that students will be asking is what position the NUS Wales have taken on this. I have been told the NUS Wales have supported the change in policy and find it difficult to believe. I would be very disappointed if that was the case. If they have caved in the membership will be left very angry.
I am equally concerned about the way Plaid, who have consistently opposed the decision to introduce top fees in Wales have been bounced into this by Labour. As a member of Plaid I am proud that there is a clear and definitive position on this. In contrast to the Labour party that has been hell bent on pursuing top up fees, Plaid have always blocked their introduction.
Whilst there have been advocates for tuition fees in the party, our policy, which has been ratified, is to oppose it. The Plaid group at the Assembly were very successful in opposition with one of their biggest victories being the humiliating defeat they heaped on Labour in this issue. However, that position it seems has been shifted to one side yet as far as I am aware there has been no leadership discussions, no official change in policy and no input from the membership.
As I understand it Plaid has secured a student debt write off which they will be happy about but in doing so have cut the strings of their opposition to top up fees which was a policy and a principal backed by its membership. What is clearly pushing the Labour agenda is the knowledge that it will split its coalition partner. Putting political skulduggery first to stitch up Plaid before the needs of students in Wales.
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