News
Nov 19, 2024

College-Wide Referendum to be Held on Section 1.5 of the Students Union Constitution

The new proposed wording that will be voted on is “The Union shall pursue these objectives independent of any political party or religious organisation”.

Charlie Swan and Brídín Ní Fhearraigh-Joyce
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Photo by Guy Boggan for The University Times.

A motion passed by 80 per cent at TCDSU (Trinity College Dublin Students Union) council to hold a referendum to amend the wording of section 1.5 (formerly 1.4) of the  TCDSU constitution. 

 

The new proposed wording that will be voted on in a college-wide referendum is “The Union shall pursue these objectives independent of any political party or religious organisation”, and be able to promote a movement of no confidence in the government. 

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The current wording of section 1.5 of the constitution states that “The Union shall pursue these objectives independent of any political, racial or religious ideology”.  

 

A speaker against the motion stated that the proposed new wording risks “inherently alienating students” . 

 

“My existence is political” was the common discourse in favour of the motion, with TCDSU Welfare Officer Hamza Bana and the PWO (Postgraduate Worker’s Organisation) co-founder Seathrún Sardina citing this argument.

 

The referendum will be held in the first three weeks of Hilary term. 

 

A majority of two thirds was needed to pass the motion. 

 

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