Union sponsorship ban overturned by referendum

The results of last week’s referenda have been announced by the Students’ Union. The ban on Sports Clubs and Societies seeking sponsorship from currently banned companies was lifted while the attempted ban of racists and fascists from speaking at the Students’ Union failed to pass.

With immediate effect, the Students’ Union will cease to enforce its boycott against several previously black-listed companies. Sports clubs and societies will now be free to seek sponsorship from organisations perceived as unethical. Those banned included Nestlé, companies involved in the arms trade such as Rolls Royce, and oil companies such as Shell. The rejection of the motion means that speakers perceived as fascist or racist will continue to be permitted to speak at the SU.

The results showed that both referenda barely reached quorum, the required number of votes for a motion to pass. The SU constitution states that votes are required from at least 7.5 percent of Union members – a total of 1,695 votes. However, just 1,766 votes were cast in the referendum proposing to lift the ban on club sponsorship, with 921 votes endorsing the lift and 759 votes cast against the proposal. The motion seeking to ban racists and fascists from speaking at the Union received even fewer votes, only 1,712, with 773 votes cast for and 811 against.

This low voter turnout has led to questions about the structure of Union democracy. Third year biochemist Rich Malatti questions how the results of the referenda can be considered democratic given that such a small portion of Union members actually voted. Malatti argued that it “is unfair to overturn what is current Union policy when such a small proportion of the electorate supports the move. It is frankly undemocratic.”

Chris Luck, Democracy and Communications Officer claimed that “traditionally at this point of the year it is an apathetic time for Union democracy, after the Sabb elections and with deadlines looming, it can be difficult to convince enough students to vote”. The Education Officer elections which also took place this week similarly suffered from low turnout, with just 61 votes above quorum.

In anticipation of these low levels of interest, Chris Luck and the other Sabbatical Officers made efforts to increase ease of voting and awareness that there were referenda happening.

New automatic voting machines were used in the Atrium, which had the advantage of being cheap and much faster than the SU website. Despite this, they did not help generate a mass increase in turnout. The SU also increased its use of Facebook, introduced a pop-up window on its website encouraging people to vote, and featured videos and flyers to ensure that students were informed.

Despite this, many students, including second-year student Alice Ebbage, complained they “had no idea these topics were even up to vote this week” and blamed the Union for a lack of advertising.

Regardless of the low voting figures, the referenda inspired the interest of some students, with a debate on Monday involving many prominent figures from the Students’ Union. Sabbatical Officers George Whitworth and Andy White argued for the annulment of the ban on ‘unethical’ sponsorship, in opposition to the Campaigns Forum Coordinator, Megan Fortune.

The success of the motion to overturn the ban on ‘unethical’ sponsorship is a result that may conclude a lengthy debate within the Students’ Union, with the same issues being debated in the referenda season last year. The ban on fascists and racists from speaking at the Union failed, but the close result ensures that next year’s referenda season will again raise important issues related to the Students’ Union.