Democracy
This is the text of a note I posted earlier today on Facebook, just to get it out into the wider public. It’s pretty much a companion piece to the post I made a few days ago about the troops out of UCL motion, but refines my stance:
I just want to clear something up about why I want there to be an EGM (either because it is called by 400 students, or as a result of disciplinary action).
It is not because I fundamentally disagree with particular motions that were passed at the re-convened AGM last week. I take issue only with the way the meeting was run, which for me renders anything that happens at the meeting undemocratic. I want all the motions rescinded. Not just the Palestine one, not just the OTC one. The top-up fees and the deportation one as well. None of them can stand as legitimate motions in the context of the meeting.
I reiterate. This is not about politics. It is about democracy. That is why it is important, in the likely event of an EGM, you should try and attend. Please keep your eyes on your e-mails for news of when an EGM might be - probably early next term. It’ll be one evening of your time, but will secure the future of democracy at UCL Union. Tell your friends, flatmates and countrymen to come too, not to support any particular voting bloc, not to support any particular political cause, but to back democracy. It’s all important. Please.
I am still against the troops motion, but that is not the reason I back an EGM. (I’m not a sore loser.)
For more information you may want to read this issue of one of the student publications [warning:pdf link] here.
Workshop: 10/1
(For those who came to the debating workshop on Thurs 10/1 and wanted a refresh.)
We talked about the fact that most debates can be reduced to a broader topic, and went over what the main issues in some of those debates are. I’ve added a little more here since we were running out of time. This should serve as a reminder of what we said, rather than being exactly what we said (my memory serves me only poorly, even if I can remember 52).
Democracy
THW give the vote to <group>
THW limit Prime Ministers to one five-year term of office.
These debates are about what’s best for democracy, not whether you can be ‘too old’ to be PM.
Security vs Liberty
THW allow the use of torture/evidence gained by torture etc
Human rights of a few individuals ([suspected] terrorists) versus the liberties of the majority (the innocent public).
International Relations (IR)
THW invade Zimbabwe
Best route to ’stability’; sovereignty vs internationalism; the moral duty to intervene or not.
Rights generally/benefits, harms
THW conduct medical experiments on prisoners
THW ban music that promotes criminality
Balance of rights and harms, e.g.freedom of speech vs the harms it might cause; discussion of rights generally (how do you get them, can you lose them?).
We debated THW conduct medical experiments on prisoners. I’ll get some of the feedback about arguments etc up about that over the weekend.
My thanks especially to Stanzie for the cake, and to you all for coming. Until next Thursday, goodnight.
