My exec report in full

pmqs · Street Demonstrator

yea there are people dying, so why were you slagging of james for his report? its a reasonable argument to say the indichair shouldnt have any insignia. suppose half way through and said to people 'anyone want to buy a tv off me?' its an abuse of position that james is talking about
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~Knowledge should be free~

Sazzle · Black Bloc

PeterM · Street Demonstrator

steven · Black Bloc

I sense Peter may be being ironic, but I second that motion - in fact, let's none of us wear clothing while in the Guild.

Shinyalex · Indymedia Hound

OK, as I started this I feel I should apologise. I did not mean to question Tom's integrity and that was never my intent ... truth be told I was being tongue in cheek when I asked the question in GC. I thought it was a little 'off' and I still think I was right to ask and when Tom told me he was aware and that it had no bearing that was fine for me. I asked him. He justified it. End of.
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I believe the robots are our future

pmqs · Street Demonstrator

i didnt hear the tories say anything about the cruddas badges - and bowes is not in any party is he? noones saying its anti labour r they?
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~Knowledge should be free~

Tom H · Indymedia Hound

Parsley · Indymedia Hound

Well this thread is thouroughly dissappointing to read. Tom has done a stellar job this year, chairing the two longest meetings any of us can remember... Surely worthy of praise? He has been a VOLUNTEER this year giving so much to the Guild, and all people are talking about is a sodding badge. Which as Tom rightly points out is an internal Labour party matter, which has no bearing whatsoever on anything that happens in the Guld, let alone the meeting. Would Tom's critics please stop being so a) dense and b) ungrateful.

Grr.

naivehottie · Black Bloc

Had the fact that it was an internal Labour matter been explained at the meeting it would have been more understandable but the response was 'I'm allowed to do this it's not against the bye-laws' which gives the impression (rightly or wrongly) that Tom was abusing his position to create a political platform, which may be allowed but does not set a good image. There is simply no need for a chair to be showing political affiliations in a chair, particularly due to being the most highly visible individual.

Having talked to a lot of normal students this year the ones that know anything about the Guild generally have the impression that it is run by a bunch of people who are using it to further Labour political careers, and to an extent they are right. Now that is not to say all Labour students that are on exec or are Indy chairs use it as a political platform, some are solely on because they care about the issue and all clearly care about the issue, even if there's an element of careerism and using roles as a political platform which of coure I disagree with using roles for that as would most students in my opinion. Also not all Labour students try to use positions, some primarily stick to Labour, which again there is nothing wrong with.

Given the fact that a lot of students have this view of the Guild to turn up and see the chair, of all people, wearing Labour badges (of any kind) sets a bad (but arguably fair) image of the Guild to anyone attending for the first time. So while wearing the badge may not be wrong in itself, the image of having the chair wear it is potentially harmful.

However, I do feel I have been a little unfair on Tom as he is not necessarily the worst offender and is an easy target being Independent Chair and all. I also don't think having exec use leaving speeches in support of a party sets the best image, but nevertheless should be allowed even if it is undesirable. Thus I am glad to have a 'normal student' (if there is such a thing) rather than a politician as Guild president next year, as it is more representative of what the Guild SHOULD be about, i.e. representing the interests of students, not a political party (particularly one that introduced top-up fees). I also feel that the Labour students on the exec next year are not the type to use it as a political platform, and will be very suited to their roles, so that is also good.

I have felt that this year has been worse for this than last year, as though Richard Angell is Labour none of his vice presidents (as far as I am aware) were and he had more people standing up to him, meaning there was less of a 'unified front' (read top down what president says goes structure), meaning it wasn't such an issue.

Tom H · Indymedia Hound

[quote="naivehottie"]Had the fact that it was an internal Labour matter been explained at the meeting it would have been more understandable but the response was 'I'm allowed to do this it's not against the bye-laws' which gives the impression (rightly or wrongly) that Tom was abusing his position to create a political platform, which may be allowed but does not set a good image. There is simply no need for a chair to be showing political affiliations in a chair, particularly due to being the most highly visible individual.

Given the fact that a lot of students have this view of the Guild to turn up and see the chair, of all people, wearing Labour badges (of any kind) sets a bad (but arguably fair) image of the Guild to anyone attending for the first time. So while wearing the badge may not be wrong in itself, the image of having the chair wear it is potentially harmful.[/quote="naivehottie"]

James

Shame on you. Shame shame shame. If you cannot draw a distinction between me and the labour party then I refuse from now on to distinguish between you and Richard Morris/Baldsoc. Is that fair? No of courses it isn't. And being a fair and reasonable individual, I would not do that.

James, and for anyone else who apparently did not listen during GC (because I assure you I take it seriously enough to listen), I said it was an internal party matter and so did not affect anyone present (especially as ballots had already been distributed). Secondly, your 'quote' of me is wrong and thus bad practice and judgment on your part, I said it does not affect the meeting and were not Labour badges. Thirdly, and most importantly THEY ARE NOT VOTE LABOUR BADGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! anyone who reads them as this is mad, blind or daft; they read " Choose Change. Vote Cruddas"

James, you speak of abuses of responsibility. Let us speak of yours. Such as short uninformative reports, hidden text, ignoring Independent Chair Committee advice on your report content. I suggest it is these that are abuses, not badges. Have I attempted to attack you for these and more? NO, I have been professional and responsible. Please afford me the same courtesy.

As for those attending for the first time, James, it appears I won the Convenor Vote 24 to me, 12 Richard, 5 Paul. Despite wearing them. This clearly does not put people off. On whose evidence do you base this accusation? Or is it your own political prejudice? James, I stood on my values and convictions, even badges, and won... I am sorry if you disagree with democracy.

The fact that you admit I am an easy target, merely highlights the vindictive and prejudicial nature of your assault on me in this instance.

James, you also did not answer any of my questions in relation to your ORIGINAL ALLEGATION. Does wearing red make me or you labour? Or wearing blue make us Tories?

Did the badges say vote Labour?

Should GC wear uniforms or unidentifiable robes?

Did the logos on your shirt sway people (because it wasn't blank)??

NO, no and no... again I say it publicly... No.

I do however wish Rhea, Laura and Noush all the best as labour students next year at Brum!

I thank those of you who have supported me on this forum and in real life. I appreciate that some of you with concerns feel able to address them face to face and not talk anonymously on internet forums. Thank you for that. James, if there is a real issue and you feel I have abused my job, I am accountable and feel free to use the appropriate channels to question me. I do however hope that you afford me the same professional courtesy that I have you.
Have a nice summer.

Tom

Parsley · Indymedia Hound

bond pulled the trigger. the shape on the floor jolted suddenly and then fell limp, limbs splayed awkwardly. it was dark and early june, still a little cool. waves began to lap at the edge of the body. bond turned to leave. he glanced back- noone was going to visit this spot for a long time. "have a nice summer"

Sorry, imagination running away with me Smile

Sorry James, gotta back Tom here. No crime has been committed on his part.

Problem with being naked, steven and peter, is that we may have political tattoos or red hair... so best option is clearly that we conduct guild council in the pitch black of night.

Tom H · Indymedia Hound

Lol, appreciate the analogy
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A consensus politician is someone who does something he does not think is right, because it keeps people quiet when he does it.

naivehottie · Black Bloc

steven · Black Bloc