NCAFC national committee member Daniel Lemberger Cooper is planning* to stand for Vice-President of University of London Union, the federation uniting student unions at the “old” London universities. (The ULU elections are 2-9 February.)
Daniel currently president of Royal Holloway University Students’ Union.
For his manifesto see below or to download it as a pdf click here.
Facebook group here.
FOR A CAMPAIGNING ULU LEADING THE STUDENT MOVEMENT IN LONDON
In the last two years ULU has moved in the right direction – towards outward- looking, political campaigning – but there is more to do to get the union London students need.
● Fight fees, cuts and privatisation. There are numerous local battles against cuts, fees increases and the entry of private providers into higher education. I want to throw the whole weight of ULU behind these struggles, and behind the fight for a free, publicly owned and funded education system, by linking up with groups like the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts and building ties with student union education campaigns and local anti-cuts groups. We must expose and fight against the lavish pay and perks VCs are giving themselves while they push through cuts.
● Reach out. ULU needs to serve all its affiliates and members. But I also believe we need to reach out by building links with the non-ULU student unions at the sharp end of the cuts fight – institutions like London Met – and with school and FE students in London, who were the backbone of the 2010/11 protests. In the longer term, I am in favour of opening up membership to all London SUs, to create a union really leading the whole of the student movement in London.
● Solidarity with workers’ struggles. Whether it’s unionising student workers, campaigns around sourcing college merchandise, or supporting workers’ struggles from cleaners fighting for the London Living Wage to lecturers defending pensions, this will be one of my key priorities. At Royal Holloway this year we’ve worked with trade unions to beat back 80 percent of redundancies – let’s do the same across London.
● Take back your campus! Whether it’s helping student unions expand participation, fighting for democratic universities or opposing police repression, ULU needs to be at the heart of the fight for democracy and rights in education. And as part of that we should expand and breathe life into ULU’s own democratic structures. I want to extend the forums and mechanisms through which affiliates and members can get involved and shape our policy and direction. And ULU should act as a network of mutual support and skill-sharing, with more frequent forums and training events. That would be particularly helpful to specialist or smaller colleges like my own, Royal Holloway.
● Fight for liberation. More support for union liberation campaigns to build genuine cross-London campaigning. Militant, pro-active campaigning against racism, including zero tolerance for Islamophobia and anti-semitism. Fight the Tories’ war on migrants and asylum-seekers. No platform for fascists, and mass mobilisation to drive the far right off our campuses, off our streets and out of our communities. Not a hierarchy of oppressions, but consistent support for all liberation struggles – for women’s, black, LGBT and disabled liberation.
● No compliance with state repression. Our SUs must oppose the growing culture of state repression inside our education system. Fight the Government’s Prevent agenda – both because it means police spying on Muslim students and because it means state support for reactionary religious groups in the name of fighting terrorism. No compliance with immigration controls – full support and defence of migrant workers in our colleges. This is a real issue, as the deportation of SOAS cleaner activists shows!
● Housing. Affordable, decent housing is a concern for every London student – but it is out of reach for many. To fight soaring rents, rip-off landlords, deteriorating halls of residence and the virtual disappearance of new council housing provision, I will launch a ULU campaign for decent housing for all.
● An outward-looking, political, internationalist ULU. I am a former People & Planet president, with a long record of campaigning for peace, global justice and environmental stability. I support the Palestinian struggle for an independent state with the same rights as Israel – ULU should build solidarity with the Palestinians, Israeli anti-occupation activists, and students’ and workers’ movements on both sides. Support and solidarity for students’ and workers’ struggles worldwide, particularly the inspiring new workers’ movements in North Africa and the Middle East.
● Make ULU a centre of political debate. More political discussion and training events, including fundraising social events.
● A strong campaigning voice in London. ULU should lobby across London for better services for students and use its weight to get what London students need.
● Support for societies. Facilitate and promote societies hosting inter-uni events, shows and competitions to increase participation and build links across London. Greatly expand the number of students using ULU’s rooms and facilities. Organise London-wide sports tournaments. A bigger and better ULU presence at freshers’ fayres.
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I am a socialist and activist, a member of the Alliance for Workers’ Liberty. I have been active in the student movement since I was at sixth form. My record includes:
● Royal Holloway Students’ Union President 2011-12
● Founder of Royal Holloway Anti-Cuts Alliance
● Royal Holloway People & Planet president
● National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts national committee member.
● GMB Kingston 19 branch young members’ officer.
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For more information, materials in alternative formats or to support my campaign, ring 07840 136 728, email dancooper13@hotmail.com or visit my blog dancooperforulu.wordpress.com
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Support for Daniel:
Michael Chessum, UCL activist and former sabbatical, NUS national executive:
“Dan has been a brilliant campaigner against fees and cuts for years, on his campus and nationally. His passion for fighting for students’ rights at every level is relentless. I can think of no better person for ULU Vice President.”
Ricardo Mighty, President RHUL Afro Caribbean Society:
“Daniel Cooper began the first anti fascist, anti racist campaign Royal Holloway has ever seen, which I had the joy of helping him with – we campaigned and looked into how racism develops and what students can do to combat it – and been very successful. If you want a committed anti fascist campaigner for ULU Vice President, vote Daniel Cooper!
Alex Peters Day, LSESU General Secretary:
“Dan is an effective and committed activist and a brilliant and talented sabbatical officer. His passion, enthusiasm and drive is just what ULU needs and I have no doubt he will be a great Vice-President.”
Arslan Ishaq, RHUL Islamic society President:
“Malcolm X, Marting L. King, Nelson Mandela, William Wilberforce: they all fought for change, they listened to the voices of the oppressed, they were intellectuals who articulated their message well, but most importantly they did so with good character. Dan has these qualities and given the platform they could be brought to life.”
Noor Mansour, President RHUL Middle East Society:
‘Daniel Cooper has consistently promoted the celebration of cultural diversity on campus. I completely support Daniel in his bid – the Middle East Society would not have been able to grow without his help.’
Matt Bond, NUS NEC and Disabled Students’ Committee:
“I am behind Daniel all the way for ULU Vice President. A committed student activist and all round lovely person i’m sure we all agree.”
Arianna Tassinari, SOAS SU Co-President Education & Welfare:
“In his time as President of Royal Holloway Students’ Union, Dan has shown a great capacity of organizing students against cuts on campus, standing up to management with integrity and courage. Dan’s track record in mobilization and anti-cuts, anti-privatisation activism is truly remarkable, and so is his commitment to representing students and their voices. He is a hard working, capable and focused officer, and having worked with him on many occasions, I can confidently say he would make a great ULU VP.”
Craig Gent, Royal Holloway SU Campaigns Officer:
“Daniel Cooper has been instrumental in the transformation of Royal Holloway’s SU from apathy to action. His proven track record of prioritising participation, democracy, campaigning and liberation makes him an excellent candidate for ULU VP.”
Edd Bauer, Birmingham Guild of Students Vice President Education:
“I have never seen Dan hesitate to take action to defend students and their rights. A vote for Dan is vote for dedicate champion of the student body. At times like this, when education as we know it is under attack, he is exactly what we need.”
Royal Holloway University and College Union branch:
“A vote for Daniel Cooper is a vote for a successful and experienced campaigner for student’s in Higher Education. He has helped to transform politics locally, engaging new constituencies in defending Higher Education. We support his candidacy, because we believe he’ll help build a campaigning ULU. ”
Mike Williamson, Edinburgh Students’ Union Vice President:
“I can’t think of a better candidate for ULU Vice President than Dan Cooper. He’s a strong and articulate voice against cuts and privatisation, and a dedicated activist working for students. That’s exactly what ULU needs right now.”
George Papamargaritis, People and Planet President:
“Dan Cooper is the most dedicated,hard working activist I had the privilege of meeting in university. He is always a source of inspiration and a voice of calm; he always encourages people to bring their ideas forward.”
Jasmine Wyeth, founder and president of SURHUL Feminism Society:
“It has been fantastic to have Daniel as a progressive, feminist Students’ Union president. Daniel has played a vital part in anti-cuts activism on campus, and has always placed great importance on recognising that the cuts are disproportionately affecting women. He has also been involved with the Feminism Society since its beginning, is helping the society work towards implementing the Zero Tolerance campaign in our SU and is working with us to improve street lighting on campus and in the local area. Daniel and the society are also working together to increase the SU’s focus on equality and liberation issues by working towards the introduction of liberation officers on our executive committee. Daniel is a brilliant activist who is passionate about a wide range of issues and has been at the forefront of progressive activism on and off campus, and as founder and president of the Feminism Society at RHUL, I wholeheartedly support him to become ULU Vice-President.”
About Ed
