A referendum to amend sections of the Student Union’s Constitution is due to be voted on between February 5th and 7th. The student body will vote whether they approve changing the current wording of Chapter 1.5 of the Constitution from “The Union shall pursue these objectives independent of any political, racial or religious ideology” to “The Union shall pursue these objectives independent of any political party or religious organisation,” and shall vote on whether they approve the insertion of the words “The Union may only adopt a position of no confidence in a government as a matter of long-term policy” into Chapter 8.1 of the Constitution.
From 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm in the Jonathan Swift theatre on Tuesday February 4th the arguments for and against this referendum were hashed out. Concerns were raised by Leo Ó Nualláin on how these changes, if introduced, would impact the relationship between the student body and the Student’s Union, particularly if it were to allow the Student’s Union to adopt an anti-government approach. In contrast, Eoin Connolly, speaking in favour of the referendum, highlighted the union’s strong history of holding campaigns driven by political ideology such as taking a clear pro-choice stand in Ireland’s abortion referendum of 2018.
Patrick Keegan argued that “Unions are political, we must be political,” and other speakers spent time discussing how women’s rights, trans rights, racial equality and housing and welfare issues are both political issues and student issues and should consequently not be ignored by the Student’s Union.
In order to adopt a position of no confidence in the government it would require the students union to hold a college-wide referendum. Those in favour of this week’s referendum argue that this measure allows students to communicate their discontent with the government and ensures any decision made is not made solely by the Students’ Union. For others, this represents a divisive measure that will overly politicise the activities of the Student’s Union. “It is a Students’ Union, not a student government,” was among the comments made during the hustings.
One speaker, Adam Stafford, spoke neither for nor against the motion, but rather against the referendum as a whole. He claimed that the referendum deterred energy and focus from more important affairs and argued that “no matter the result, we will still won’t have a proper student centre, the Pav will still be too expensive”.
Polls are open in the Arts Block and Hamilton Building from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and in St. James’ Hospital from 12:00 am – 5:00 pm on Thursday.
